Jeremy Clarkson Watches England Fall to Ireland at Twickenham — Admits He’s ‘Lost Track’ of the Team

Jeremy Clarkson was among the spectators at Twickenham on Saturday as England faced Ireland in a Six Nations encounter that ended in a decisive 42–21 victory for the visitors.

The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter, who now splits his time between television projects, writing and managing his 1,000-acre Diddly Squat farm in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, was seen in the stands at the west London stadium alongside his partner, Lisa Hogan. The couple live together at Clarkson’s estimated £12 million estate between Chadlington and Chipping Norton.

Speaking to Champagne Rugby ahead of kick-off, Clarkson acknowledged that his connection to the sport is not what it once was.

“I used to be a lot more into rugby than I am now,” he admitted. “I was just saying on the way down that I don’t think I could name a single England player, even though I watched that performance against Scotland the other day.”

Clarkson reflected on an earlier era of English rugby, referencing the days when former captain Will Carling was leading the side and national optimism was high.

“I’m ashamed to admit, from the days when I used to go and when Will Carling was playing and we could win the World Cup and so on, I’ve rather lost track,” he said. “Still, I’ve come down to Twickers though. I’m here with Lisa, who of course is Irish.”

The match itself proved memorable — though not for home supporters. Ireland delivered their largest ever win at Twickenham, running in six tries in a commanding performance that underlined their resurgence in this year’s Six Nations Championship.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris described the result as a new standard for the squad.

“This has to be a benchmark,” he said after the game, pointing to the intensity and cohesion shown across the 80 minutes.

The emphatic display came amid recent scrutiny of Ireland’s form. A heavy opening-round defeat to France, followed by an unconvincing win over Italy, had prompted questions about whether Andy Farrell’s side was entering a period of decline following a demanding autumn campaign.

Instead, the performance at Twickenham offered a forceful response to critics. Ireland controlled territory and possession for long stretches, exposing defensive gaps and capitalising with clinical finishing. England, by contrast, struggled to contain the pace and physicality of their opponents, particularly in the second half.

For Clarkson, the afternoon combined nostalgia with sporting reality. Once a regular attendee during rugby’s more triumphant English chapters, he now finds himself watching more as a cultural observer than a devoted follower.

Yet his presence — and his candid remarks — added a familiar touch of personality to a match that will likely be remembered more for Ireland’s statement victory than for celebrity sightings in the stands.

As the Six Nations campaign continues, Ireland will look to build on what Doris called a “benchmark” display, while England must regroup after a home defeat that exposed structural weaknesses. Clarkson, meanwhile, returns to the Cotswolds — perhaps still unable to name the starting XV, but having witnessed one of the tournament’s most decisive results in recent memory.