Clive Woodward's men took control when Lawrence Dallaglio crossed in the first half, and with Jonny Wilkinson providing a constant stream of points, they were always able to keep the Irish at arm's length.

Will Greenwood added two more tries and further scores from MIke Tindall and Dan Luger sealed a comprehensive victory.

With 48,000 fans packed inside the Dublin ground, Ireland had the first scoring chance, and David Humphreys was agonisingly close to finding the target with a monster 55-metre penalty kick.

Prop Marcus Horan was the next to threaten, smashing through England's defence, and although he was held up, Humphreys dropped a goal from 25 metres to give his team a richly-deserved 3-0 lead.

England then struck for their first notable attack. With Ireland's scrum under pressure, Matt Dawson poached possession and sprinted away, before supporting number eight Dallaglio powered over between the posts.

The faultless Wilkinson converted to give England a 7-3 lead.

Humphreys cut Ireland's deficit when he landed a 50-metre penalty - his first success from three attempts - but a Wilkinson drop-goal on 29 minutes restored England's four-point advantage.

Matt Dawson, Richard Hill and Graham Rowntree all had to be treated for blood injuries as the taclkes flew in.

Wilkinson sweetly struck his second drop-goal with his right foot to give the visitors a deserved 13-6 interval advantage.

England dominated early possession in the second half, but suffered a setback in the 44th minute when Wilkinson required treatment for what appeared to be a left shoulder problem.

The Newcastle star went off in the 54th minute, although it appeared to be for blood, rather than his shoulder, which meant a chance for experienced fly-half Paul Grayson.

Ireland sent on lock Paul O'Connell as a 57th-minute replacement for Gary Longwell, but England struck with a telling blow just two minutes later.

Centre Will Greenwood's pass split open the Irish defence, and his midfield colleague Tindall raced 30 metres for a crucial try.

If the Grand Slam had been in doubt until Tindall's effort, it was put beyond all doubt when England scored their third try in the 64th minute.

Ireland's defensive wall took a ferocious battering, and Greenwood emerged with the ball from underneath a forward pile, claiming the try, which Wilkinson added to.

Try hero Tindall then departed with an injury, limping off, and England's subsequent midfield reorganisation saw wing Jason Robinson switch to centre, with replacement Luger going on the wing.

A 70th-minute Wilkinson penalty took England 30-6 in front - and Greenwood was soon gifted his second try of the match before Luger went over in the corner in injury-time.