By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ireland had to come from behind against England to get their bid for a third successive Six Nations title off to a winning 27-22 bonus point start on Saturday thanks to a ferocious second half after the visitors had made life very uncomfortable.

Ireland has gotten off to a five-point start to its bid for an unprecedented third straight outright Six Nations rugby title by overpowering England in a second-half recovery to rack up a 27-22 victory in Dublin.

Ireland begin their bid for a historic third consecutive Six Nations crown as they face England, who denied them a grand slam last year, in Dublin. The final match of the opening weekend of the tournament may just prove its most consequential,