Six Nations 2018: England take unusual Twickenham decision... and it BACKFIRES
ENGLAND appear to have extended the in-goal areas at Twickenham - a decision that backfired during the first half of their Six Nations clash with Ireland.
England had already lost the Six Nations when Ireland arrived in west London by virtue of being beaten away from home by Scotland and France.
But they still had an unbeaten record to defend at Twickenham under Eddie Jones and were also desperate to stop Ireland taking a historic Grand Slam.
And it appeared that England had tried to exploit their home advantage by extended the in-goal areas by around a metre.
The ground staff had painted the lines on the pitch blue amid fears that snow during the game could leave the usual white markings obscured.
But behind the try-line, the old white lines betrayed that the Twickenham staff had, presumably under instruction from the RFU, added some extra space to the area.
It appeared to be a tactic to allow fly-half and England playmaker Owen Farrell more opportunity to put kicks in behind the defence for England’s back three to score.
But the decision appeared to have backfired on the home side on the stroke of half-time when Irish winger Jacob Stockdale chipped the ball over Mike Brown and sprinted towards the try-line.
It looked as though the ball would go dead but the speedy 21-year-old reeled it in and touched it down at the last minute - right in the extra space provided by the extended lines.
And Irish fans were more than happy to see the extra space once Stockdale had touched down, his seventh try of the tournament.
“Great decision by England to extend the in goal areas at Twickenham!” Ciaran Donaghy wrote.
Another user wrote: “Nice bit of hospitality at Twickenham providing that extended in goal area.”
And a third decided to reference Eddie Jones’ recent comments about Ireland, calling them a “scummy” team.
Paul Cantley said: “So, England decide to stretch the in goal area at Twickenham and it gets what it deserves - a spectacular backfire! Well played played the Scummies!”