England vs. Ireland: Winners and Losers from 2016 RBS 6 Nations Clash

England march on in their quest for a first Grand Slam since 2003, after a 21-10 win over Ireland at Twickenham.

A first half short on quality was dominated by the home side, but they couldn't find a way past a dogged Irish rearguard.

Conor Murray's try inched Ireland ahead, but their first-half defensive efforts told in the latter part of the contest, as England found space and created tries for Anthony Watson and Mike Brown.

Ireland created pressure in the closing stages as England went down to 14 men, but the home side saw the game out.

Here are the winners and losers from Twickenham.

Winner: Billy Vunipola

GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

Billy Vunipola continued his sparkling form in a white shirt with a tireless effort. The Saracens No. 8 made a huge amount of ground with ball in hand and tested Ireland's tackling every time he ran at them.

England were almost guilty of using him too much as the battering ram to make holes in the Irish defence, but he was willing to take on the workload and is emerging in this championship as the Red Rose's main weapon.

His fitness also stood up to the demands of his role, and he was still causing problems with his power beyond the hour mark.

Loser: James Haskell

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

James Haskell collected his fifth international yellow card for a daft, late, high hit on Conor Murray, and no sooner had he departed for 10 minutes than Murray burrowed over for a try that put his team in front.

Haskell's indiscipline cost his side dearly and blotted what had been a decent performance by the England No. 7.

Winner: Ireland's First-Half Defence

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Ireland soaked up a huge amount of pressure from England in the first half.

They twice got bodies under the ball to stop what looked like certain tries, and when England went wide, they were up quickly to stop the final pass.

They eventually ran out of numbers to defend an attack in the second half, when Anthony Watson was finally found in space to score.

Loser: Ireland's Lineout

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Ireland had a poor afternoon at the lineout, as George Kruis wrecked their throw on three occasions.

It undermined a couple of promising attacking positions for the away side and has exposed their lineout unit as vulnerable to attacks from sides who are willing to put jumpers in the air rather than wait for them to land.

England's quality in the air on the opposition ball now looks to be a weapon other sides will have to account for.

Winner: Jack Nowell

Michael Steele/Getty Images

England had a 21-10 lead with 15 minutes left when Robbie Henshaw broke free down the touchline, looking odds-on to score and bring his side back into the contest.

But Jack Nowell had other ideas and hustled across the width of the field to smash Henshaw into touch before he could attempt to ground the ball.

It was a key moment in the game, and Nowell will have earned a few beers from his mates tonight.