Ireland vs. England: Takeaways from 2015 Six Nations Clash

Ireland defeated England 19-9 on Sunday to weave past what will likely be the most difficult task in defending their Six Nations title.

Robbie Henshaw scored the game's only try, while Jonathan Sexton helped tick the scoreboard over from long range, kicking the hosts into a deserved Dublin lead.

England may feel like their championship is over following Sunday's defeat, with the Irish bagging the majority of the winning reports thanks to such a resounding victory.

Ireland Move Within Sight of a 2015 Grand Slam

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No matter what Joe Schmidt might say about there still being everything left to play for, don't be confused: This was the one that mattered most for Ireland.

Of course, another potential four points await the boys in green, but this was the fixture it seemed nigh impossible to call, such was the quality of England's assault coming to the Irish capital.

In truth, Ireland may have expected more fight out of England, who looked to be (and might still be) the ones to challenge them most closely for the belt.

That being said, trips to Wales and Scotland will be seen as anything but impossible for the team now back in the driver's seat.

Turnover Count Comes to Cripple England's Cause

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It comes of little surprise that in each of Ireland's three wins at this year's Six Nations, they've ended as the team to concede the fewest turnovers. The streak was maintained against England.

The Aviva Stadium hosts were spectacular when it came to sensing any moments of weakness among the English line and then swarming in numbers to dispossess.

Wingers Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo were responsible for allowing a few carries of their own to fall into Ireland's grasp, but the back-row likes of Peter O'Mahony and Jordi Murphy helped make up for it.

England conceded 18 turnovers to Ireland's 10, and it was particularly interesting to see the backs wrapping up their opponents before rummaging for the ball, as Sexton was not among the quieter figures.

Conor Murray/Jonathan Sexton Cementing Their Places as World's Finest

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Some people may have already taken this as gospel, but if the notion wasn't out there already, Conor Murray and Sexton are cutting out a reputation for themselves as the finest half-back combination on the planet.

Extremely intense and entirely dedicated to their work, Murray and Sexton have gradually become one of the world's most consistent partnerships.

The performance against England had all the hallmarks of the elite about it, with Murray supplying clean and quick balls to his backs throughout, while Sexton looked the best that he has done in the entire tournament thus far—against the most talented opposition.

A Munster-Leinster rivalry may pit these two against one another on the club scene next season, but when pulling on international colours, the two strike up a relationship that seems almost telepathic at times.

England's Poor Discipline Proves to Be Difference-Maker

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Statistics are an aspect of rugby some prefer to see loosely associated with the dissection of the game, but another telling figure following Sunday's result came in how Stuart Lancaster's side trumped their foes in the penalty count.

England gave away 13 penalties and two free-kicks compared to an Irish tally of eight and two free-kicks, a number which unsurprisingly proved decisive in picking out a winner.

Time and time again, Ireland were unbending in defence, and on several occasions a lack of English calm gave the home outfit the chance to clear their lines.

Conceding those slip-ups in both attack and defence was as much of a condemnation for England as much as it was reason to give praise to what a mentally tough Irish lineup Schmidt has built.

Ireland Flourish with Possession Back Under Their Control

The second half once again proved to be Ireland's worst period of play on Sunday, as they allowed their opposition to eventually take an upper hand in the possession stakes, just as they did against France. 

However, Ireland dominated with ball in hand throughout this time around, and it was no shock to see their leader status amassed in the opening 40 minutes, where they had 68 percent of possession.

It's the most they've had in any single half during this year's Six Nations and helped give Schmidt's men the confidence they needed to finally show some expression in the tournament.

For a while there, it seemed as though the reigning champions may have had to rely solely on soaking and responding against the bigger teams, but they took the fight to their foes in fantastic manner in Week 3.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.