Six Nations review: England 23 Ireland 22

Well, that was a pleasant surprise!

A full-bloodied, dynamic performance by the England matchday squad as they went toe-to-toe with Ireland at RFU Twickenham yesterday on this year’s penultimate Six Nations weekend.

These days rugby union is a something of a game in crisis as it struggles to come to deal with some of its laws that arguably hold back its entertainment quotient; its place in the firmament of sports with major global appeal; its issues with marketing and turnover revenues, not least the financial wobbles suffered by elite clubs in several countries; and a major (almost existential) issue with head injury-related medical issues in the professional game right down to amateur level and schools.

To sit down yesterday afternoon in my armchair in front of the TV and watch an epic contest to rank alongside some of those I remember fondly with awe from four decades and more ago was an unexpected delight.

The result was in the balance right to the final knockings and could easily have gone either way.

No quarter was given – both sides played with verve and daring – and, as with all the best sporting contests, the “momentum” of ascendancy floated back and forth between the teams.

I particularly appreciated the humility in defeat displayed in their post-match TV interviews by Ireland’s captain on the day (Peter O’Mahony) and head coach (Andy Farrell) who both congratulated England on their performance.