Ireland selected Luke Fitzgerald on the left wing, marking the Leinster man’s first international start in almost four years.
A career-threatening neck problem among other injuries kept the 2009 British and Irish Lion on the sidelines, but Schmidt backed him to “bring a real freshness” on his return.
Fitzgerald remembers the game “being played a frantic pace” but Ireland embraced the unusual scenario and moved beyond the magic 21-point target just after the hour mark.
“I got a few nice touches myself, which was great. That settled me down early in the game,” said Fitzgerald.
“We were playing really well and probably left one or two out there, we had some other good opportunities.”
Sean O’Brien’s second try of the game boosted their points difference further in the closing stages but, with five minutes remaining, it appeared their title aspirations were dealt a serious blow.
Taking Finn Russell’s flung pass on the right wing, Stuart Hogg went over in the corner and bounced up in celebration.
Only after a TMO review did it become clear that Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip dislodged the ball in the grounding.
“It’s the one thing I always remember about Jamie, that tackle,” said Fitzgerald.
“I think it encapsulated his career. He was such a details guy, really hard working, really fit.
“It was one that we could have let go but he stayed concentrating right to the end.”
Ireland had one last opportunity to set England an even more imposing target. Fly-half Ian Madigan, on as a replacement for Johnny Sexton, had already converted O’Brien’s latter score, but saw a final penalty attempt drift off target.
“There was a decision on whether to kick three or go to the corner and for points difference, it was decided to take three,” Madigan remembered.
“I knew it was an important kick, struck it well [but] it drew wide.
“Immediately, I was praying.”
