Cipriani, making his full Test debut, kicked two penalties and a conversion of Paul Sackey’s 19th minute try.

Ireland made an explosive start with Rob Kearney crossing with just four minutes on the clock but after Ronan O’Gara’s kicking had stretched the lead further, England took control.

A perfectly-executed chip and chase by O'Gara opened England's defence in the first minute but his good work was undone when he was spotted holding the ball on the ground.

Ireland had made a confident opening and O’Gara soon had a chance to atone for his earlier error by helping set up a fifth minute try for Rob Kearney.

It was O’Gara’s well judged miss pass that sent Murphy marauding into space before an inside ball to Kearney gave the Leinster winger sight of the line.

Kearney raced for the whitewash and rode a tackle from Jamie Noon as he placed the ball down for a fine finish to a well-worked move.

O’Gara added the conversion and then a penalty to give Ireland an early 10-0 lead – fitting reward for their dominance.

Cipriani had made a composed start, producing a neat pass that put number eight Nick Easter through and then landing a long-range penalty.

England were being hindered by their poor kicking with scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth sending one punt straight into touch.

But they burst into life in the 19th minute with Paul Sackey starting and finishing their first try.

Sackey bulldozed his way through tackles from Shane Horgan, Andrew Trimble and O’Gara to initiate the attack and then accepted the scoring pass from Iain Balshaw once the ball had been recycled. Cipriani converted.

Ireland’s defence was being pierced with increasing regularity and it almost cracked again in the 25th minute.

A delayed pass from Cipriani bamboozled the visitors and centre Jamie Noon found himself in acres of space but without the gas to finish.

Lesley Vainikolo was on his shoulder screaming for the ball but Noon could not find his man and then Toby Flood knocked on at the breakdown.

Flood made amends with a crafty kick and chase and when Ireland infringed Cipriani was on hand to nudge his side ahead.

The Wasps starlet then produced an enormous touchfinder to send the Irish back into their own half.

Ireland were dealt a blow in the 35th minute when Murphy – probably their best player in the match so far – limped off and was replaced by Luke Fitzgerald.

Flood, standing at first receiver, then sent Cipriani charging through several green shirts but Wigglesworth blundered to halt the move.