England gave an inexperienced Ireland a comprehensive lesson to the tune of 18-7 at Twickenham to take charge charge of their group in the Autumn Nations Cup.

Winger Jonny May scored two first-half tries and Owen Farrell slotted three of four goalkicks as England deservedly led 12-0 at halftime and 18-0 late.

They threatened to blank Ireland for the first time in 30 years but Billy Burns conjured a try for fellow Irish replacement Jacob Stockdale with six minutes left and converted it.

They were the first points England conceded in more than three and a half hours of rugby across their past three games including Italy and Georgia.

As good as May’s tries were, England’s defence was suffocatingly brilliant.

“We went in there with certain things we wanted to take away from them and certain things we wanted to impose, and for the best part of the game we did that,” England coach Eddie Jones said.

England didn’t miss their first 90 tackles and ended up making an incredible 246, missing only nine.

The Irish needed to make only 73 tackles but all that ball and territory made no difference as they were smothered.

“They’re pretty good at contestable kicks, smashing that ruck on the floor, and the next ruck,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell said.

The defence invariably slowed down Ireland’s few sustained attacks and was more ferocious the closer it got to England’s tryline as the hosts earned seven turnovers.

Add bonus try-saving tackles by May and Henry Slade, and the bullied Irish suffered a fourth straight loss to England, who look set to qualify for a home final in two weeks.

A penalty conceded in a scrum launched England’s first try.

A lineout maul in the left corner was stopped but Farrell crosskicked to the right wing where May jumped and plucked the ball from Hugo Keenan’s grasp and scored.

Ireland replied by setting up an attacking lineout but it only led to an England countered and it was all May.

Ten metres out from his own line, the winger beat Chris Farrell, slipped Bundee Aki, and chipped over Keenan toward the posts.

May then dribbled ahead and dotted down into a huge embrace from the England reserves.

His 31st try tied him on the England list with 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Will Greenwood and Ben Cohen, with only Rory Underwood ahead on 49.

Irish pride dictated a try and it arrived late when Stockdale ran on to a Burns chip but it was hardly consolation.