Despite being on the back foot for large tracks of the match, first-half tries from Conway and winger Darren Hudson help put Allen Clarke's side on course for an upset victory at Kingsholm.

With replacement Brian Kingston kicking the only points of the second half with a penalty, Ireland held off some massive pressure to overtake England at the top of the table.

Clarke had demonstrated faith in his side by naming an unchanged team from the one defeated 20-15 in France but they fell behind on the 15th minute to local Gloucester boy Freddie Burn's penalty.

But Ireland roared back five minutes later as Conway snaffled a loose ball spilt by Burns and raced home before England could react. Fly-half James McKinney added the conversion.

Even when the visitors were reduced to 14 men through Dominic Ryan's sin-binning, they were still able to extend their lead through a McKinney penalty and Hudson's try.

Again England were their own worst enemies and winger Jonny May's chip was gathered by centre Brendan Macken who in turn fed Hudson to run home. McKinney's conversion gave Ireland a dream 17-3 lead.

Eventually the home side turned some of their pressure into points when a penalty try was awarded as the England forwards were halted near the tryline.

But Ireland would have the last word in an incredible half as Hudson's perfectly weighted chip was gathered by Conway en-route to the tryline.

Clarke's halftime teamtalk had the desired effect as the visitors were able to play territorial rugby for the majority of the second half.

England for all their possession could not find a way through and also had to play ten minutes with 14 men for Jack Wallace's high tackle on a frustrating night for the home support.