Two-try Bowe helps Ireland beat England

Tommy Bowe scored the decisive try as Ireland resurrected their Six Nations title ambitions with a dramatic late victory over England.

The Irish arrived at Twickenham desperate to atone for a comprehensive 33-10 defeat to France which wrecked their dreams of successive Grand Slam triumphs.

Bowe put them ahead after four minutes and when Keith Earls slid over early in the second half, Ireland had opened a 13-6 lead and were in control.

But England mounted a comeback with a debut Test try from Leicester prop Dan Cole and took the lead for the first time in the game after 71 minutes with a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal.

Wilkinson's right boot has won England some big games down the years - not least the 2003 World Cup final - but Bowe ensured this was not to be another one.

The Lions winger sliced through Wilkinson's tackle and scored the match-winning try as Ireland completed a sixth victory in seven years over England.

With England unbeaten after two rounds, this was always poised to be a key match in the championship.

Both England and Ireland can still win the title but France, as the only unbeaten team, remain strong favourites to seal a Grand Slam.

Substitute scrumhalf Pablo Canavosio scored the only try of the match to help Italy to a 16-12 victory over Scotland and boost their chances of avoiding another Six Nations championship wooden spoon.

Canavosio went over in the 67th minute after a fine break and offload by Gonzalo Canale. Wing Mirco Bergamasco scored the Azzurri's other points with his boot to give them their first win in the competition for two years.

Scotland, whose points came from flyhalf Dan Parks, twice had the ball over the line in the second half with prop Allan Jacobsen but the video official ruled it had not been grounded either time.

Defeat leaves Scotland without a win after three games ahead of a home match against England and a visit to champions Ireland next month.

Standings: France 6; England, Ireland 4; Wales, Italy 2; Scotland 0.

Next fixtures: March 13 - Ireland vs Wales; Scotland vs England. March 14 - France vs Italy.