Ireland lose to England at Twickenham

London, 14 February 1914 - Despite leading by 7 points after just 9 minutes of play, Ireland lost by 17 points to 12 at Twickenham yesterday in the first rugby international of the year.

This was a game that Ireland could have won, but equally could have lost by much more. The Irish pack struggled against their more powerful opponents and suffered from the want of a pack leader. The Irish scrum was under pressure throughout and in the second half alone lost three scrums on their own put-in.

King George V, with the Prime Minister, Herbert Henry Asquith, at his right hand, enjoying to first rugby international match of the year. (Image: Illustrated London News [London, England], 21 February 1914)

Almost 40,000 spectators attended the match, including King George V, who was attending his first rugby match since his ascension to the throne.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]