RBS Six Nations Match Review

Twickenham Stadium, 27th February 2010

England 16 - 20 Ireland

England’s final fixture on home turf in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations saw last year’s Triple Crown Champions, Ireland at Twickenham. Martin Johnson’s improving side was aiming to win the England v Ireland match and position themselves as the northern hemisphere's best ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand by winning the England v Ireland match.

Official England v Ireland hospitality packages are always highly sought after when England play against Ireland. The 2010 Six Nations was no different, where the privileged guests arrived at the facility knowing they were in for a fantastic day’s corporate entertainment. Champagne flowed and guests enjoyed the fine cuisine on offer, while debating the chances of their rival teams ahead of kick off. Former British Lions and Ireland Captain Fergus Slattery added to the Anglo-Irish banter, giving his take on the age-old rivalry.

Having dragged themselves away from the complimentary bar at the Twickenham hospitality, clients took up their officially allocated grouped seats in the west stand. The view from the sidelines gives clients an unparalleled view of the entire pitch, the perfect location to enjoy all the action.

Ireland came out of the blocks quicker than England, scoring a try with almost their first attack of the game. Ronan O’Gara missed the conversion and England now stepped up their game, enjoying more of the possession and the territorial advantage. A passage of scrappy play followed, with a succession of penalties awarded to both sides. The fierce rivals went in at the break, Ireland 8-6 ahead.

In the second half of the England v Ireland match, Irish skipper Brian O’Driscoll started pulling the strings in the middle and Ireland soon after got their reward with a line out leading to an Irish try. England responded well; a try of their own from Dan Cole who resisted the Irish defence and bundled the ball over the line, followed by a beautiful drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson. England took the lead for the first time in the match, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Their Celtic neighbours weren’t quite finished yet, the greens pouring forward in the closing stages of the match. England’s hopes of victory were left in tatters when Paul O'Connell claimed a high ball deep in opposition territory then offloaded to Tommy Bowe, who dropped a shoulder, evaded the outstretched defenders grasps, and touch down between the posts.

The thrilling climax to the match was evident as an excited crowd returned to the hospitality facility to celebrate the fine rugby on display at Twickenham. Guests savoured the delicious hot buffet after the England v Ireland match, and the complimentary bar ensured clients were in good spirits right through the evening, rounding off another one of our excellent corporate events for Hospitality Finder at Twickenham.