Ireland got off to a five-point start to its bid for an unprecedented third straight outright Six Nations rugby title, overpowering England in a second-half recovery to rack up a 27-22 victory in Dublin on Saturday.

That was followed by Scotland convincingly defeating Italy with a 31-19 scoreline thanks to heroics from Huw Jones. It was the same old story for England, as they gave up a half-time lead to succumb to a narrow 27-22 loss to Ireland.

England will be without Cadan Murley for Saturday's Six Nations match against France at Twickenham. Murley, 25, scored England's opener against Ireland in their 27-22 defeat in Dublin last weekend, but picked up a foot injury in the match,