Ireland secure Grand Slam after victory over 14-man England

Ireland claimed their fourth ever Grand Slam after overcoming a 14-man England 29-16 in their Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Freddie Steward was the English player to be given his marching orders seconds before half-time due to connecting with the head of Hugo Keenan.

That sending off came with the scores 10-6 in favour of Ireland and from that moment on the hosts did not look back, as Robbie Henshaw and Dan Sheehan’s second try were then added to late on by replacement hooker Rob Herring to seal the clean sweep.

England‘s only try came from Jamie George while Owen Farrell kicked 11 points, with Steve Borthwick’s charges finishing the Six Nations in fourth.

Yet a bruising Test match belonged to the hosts, with Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton moving clear of Ronan O’Gara as the competition’s all-time record points scorer with a penalty and three conversions to take his overall tally to 566 on his Six Nations swansong before retirement later this year.

Defending champions France had snatched top spot in the standings earlier in the day courtesy of a 41-28 bonus-point victory over Wales to pile the pressure on Ireland.

England, meanwhile, crossed the Irish Sea wounded by last weekend’s record-breaking humiliation at the hands of the French, which emphatically extinguished their title hopes.  They delivered on their vow to come out fighting.

In-form Ireland were never going to have everything their own way and the scrappy opening exchanges were punctuated with errors and turnovers as both sides sought a foothold amid a series of kicking exchanges.

A pair of early Farrell penalties heightened a palpable nervous tension in the air, before Sexton halved England’s lead with his milestone kick just before the midway point.

Ireland orchestrated some decent pressure in enemy territory but initially struggled to slip into their free-flowing rhythm or gain control against dogged opposition showing no signs of rolling over.

The hosts eventually put a meaningful dent on the scoreboard seven minutes before the break when a well-executed line-out move allowed Josh van der Flier to send Sheehan rampaging for the line to spark the crowd.

England lost Charlie Ewels to a red card inside 82 seconds of last year’s 32-15 Twickenham defeat to the Irish.  And they were left facing a similarly uphill task 12 months on as they went into the break 10-6 and a man down after referee Jaco Peyper dismissed Steward for a robust challenge which forced off rival full-back Keenan.

Galvanised by the red card, the hosts reduced the deficit to a single point through another Farrell kick in the second period, with their penalty wins now being celebrated more fervently and the high stakes sparking a couple of flashpoints.

✅ 1948
✅ 2009
✅ 2018
✅ 2023

☘️ It's a fourth Grand Slam success for Ireland. #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/sYSNQkhn7z

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 18, 2023

Ireland desperately needed to stretch the scoreboard to capitalise on their numerical advantage and kill off any chance of being forced to face an anxious closing period.

Henshaw alleviated the mounting tension by crossing in the 62nd minute on his first start of this year’s competition, before Sheehan claimed his second score shortly after.

George bulldozed over seven minutes from time as England continued to plug away for pride.

But Borthwick’s men finished the match with just 13 men as flanker Jack Willis was sin-binned late on, before replacement Ireland hooker Herring stretched for the line to complete the scoring.  A deafening roar greeted the full-time whistle.

France end campaign in style with bonus-point win over Wales

Damian Penaud scored two tries as France finished their Six Nations campaign with a 41-28 bonus-point win over Wales in Paris on Saturday.

Penaud crossed in each half as his scores were added to by Jonathan Danty, Uini Atonio and Gael Fickou, with Thomas Ramos sending over 16 points.

George North, Bradley Roberts, Tomos Williams and Rio Dyer scored for Wales in defeat as they end the Six Nations in fifth position, ahead of Italy.

For France they did all they could ahead of Ireland’s showdown with England in Dublin but the English couldn’t do them a favour in the late game.

Ultimately for Wales, it was a Six Nations campaign that produced four defeats, while it will probably be remembered above anything else for the threat of a players’ strike ― albeit averted ― over off-field issues ahead of a home game against England.

Wales have just three games left before their World Cup opener against Fiji in Bordeaux and Warren Gatland has a huge amount of work ahead.

Gatland made six changes to his starting line-up, including vastly-experienced trio Biggar, North and lock Alun Wyn Jones, while number eight Taulupe Faletau won his 100th cap.

France welcomed back Atonio after suspension, with Romain Taofifenua taking over from lock Paul Willemse, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

Wales made a confident start, driving a third-minute lineout from close range, but France managed to hold the ball up and escaped conceding a score.

But Wales were ahead just five minutes later, maintaining relentless pressure and patiently building phase-play before scrum-half Rhys Webb’s defence-splitting pass sent North over for a try that Biggar converted.

France quickly drew level, though, when fly-half Romain Ntamack split open Wales’ defence and skipper Antoine Dupont threw out a long ball to Penaud, who scored, with Ramos’ conversion making it 7-7.

Wales were not daunted by the opposition and they continued to dominate territory and possession, even if France’s scrum began exerting some pressure.

Alun Wyn Jones then went off for a head injury assessment, being replaced by Exeter’s Dafydd Jenkins, and Ramos kicked a 35-metre penalty to nudge France ahead.

Wales encountered increasing difficulty in the scrums and a second Ramos penalty in four minutes pushed France out to a 13-7 advantage.

France now had the bit between their teeth and a second try arrived six minutes before half-time following more sharp work by Dupont.

Although Wales averted initial danger, France’s patience and accuracy meant they still had the visitors in trouble and Danty touched down in the corner, with Ramos converting.

Wales’ early promise and spark had disappeared as France moved through the gears, leaving Gatland’s men with a mountain to climb, trailing by 13 points at the interval.

Wales were immediately on the back foot after half-time and it took France just four minutes to pull further away.

🇫🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 France do all they can in Paris… #GuinnessSixNations #FRAvWAL pic.twitter.com/qZU8ORhF7r

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 18, 2023

Dupont was typically at the heart of sustained attacks and Wales ran out of defensive numbers as Atonio scored from close range.  Ramos’ conversion opened a 20-point gap between the sides.

It was suddenly damage limitation for the visitors, with France securing a bonus-point through Fickou’s 49th-minute try and another Ramos conversion made it 34-7.

Wales gained some consolation through Roberts’ 56th-minute try ― his first Test touchdown ― and Biggar’s conversion brought the deficit back to 20 points.

Prop Dillon Lewis won his 50th cap when he replaced Tomas Francis, then Williams added a third try for Wales, again converted by Biggar, but the damage had long been done.

Blair Kinghorn hat-trick helps Scotland edge past battling Italy

A hat-trick from Blair Kinghorn helped secure Scotland a 26-14 bonus-point victory over Italy in their Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.

The scoreline might suggest a fairly comfortable win for the Scots but it was far from it as Italy pushed their hosts until the final whistle on Saturday.

With the clock almost in the red and Scotland leading 19-14, Italy were banging on the home team’s try-line before a breakaway added gloss to the win.

Kinghorn‘s hat-trick score was part of four tries from Gregor Townsend’s men on the day, with Duhan van der Merwe claiming the opening crossing.

Tommaso Allan went over for Italy’s only try of the game as they finish the Six Nations in last spot, but will take plenty of positives from the campaign.

Italy had a chance to get the scoreboard ticking when they awarded a penalty on the 10-metre line in the fourth minute but Allan ― who was born in Scotland ― saw his kick drift just left of the posts.

Four minutes later, however, Allan got the Azzurri off the mark when he kicked a penalty from the 22.

The Scots sparked into life in the 13th minute when Van der Merwe received an offload from Huw Jones wide on the left and did superbly to ride the challenge of Paolo Garbisi and plant the ball down just inside the touchline.  Kinghorn was wide with his conversion attempt.

The Italians managed to get their noses back in front three minutes later when Allan scored another penalty.

The visitors were forced into a change in the 23rd minute when Edoardo Iachizzi went off injured and was replaced by Niccolo Cannone.

Six minutes later, they suffered a further blow when prop Danilo Fischetti was shown a yellow card for repeated scrum infringements by the Italian front-row.  Winger Simone Gesi was temporarily sacrificed as Pietro Ceccarelli was introduced from the bench to reinforce the front-row.

Scotland made the extra man count within a matter of seconds as Ben White took the ball from the base of the scrum, carried forward and played in Kinghorn, who spotted a gap and dived over.  The number 10 duly converted his own try.

The hosts continued on the front foot early in the second half and Kinghorn got himself a second try just four minutes after the restart following another assist by White.  The try-scorer again added the extras.

Just as Scotland looked in full control, however, Italy got themselves back in the match when Allan bounded over for a well-executed try on the left.  The try-scorer missed then missed the chance to bring the Azzurri within a converted try of victory when he fluffed his conversion attempt.

😲 Some way to seal the win. Brilliant try! 👏#GuinnessSixNations #SCOvITApic.twitter.com/qNfKFowQa0

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 18, 2023

But four minutes later, team-mate Garbisi took over kicking duties and sent a penalty soaring between the posts from just outside the 10-metre line to reduce the deficit to just five points.

Italy piled on the pressure in the closing stages and looked like they might be about to force a victory before Scotland broke away in the last action of the match, with Kinghorn racing gleefully behind the posts after being handed a clear run by Van der Merwe.  The number 10 capped a memorable afternoon for himself with a close-range conversion.

Ireland one win from Grand Slam after victory over Scotland

Ireland overcame an excellent Scotland performance and a succession of injuries to move to within one victory of winning the Six Nations Grand Slam after emerging 22-7 triumphant at Murrayfield.

Andy Farrell’s men were dealt a difficult hand on Sunday, losing Dan Sheehan, Iain Henderson and Caelan Doris to injury in the opening 25 minutes before seeing replacement hooker Ronan Kelleher go off early in the second period.

It meant they had Cian Healy hooking in the scrum and Josh van der Flier throwing at the lineout, but they overcame those issues to defeat an excellent Scottish side.

The hosts gave as good as they got, going into the break just 8-7 in arrears following Huw Jones’ try, but the Irishmen’s quality and adaptability showed after the break.

Their set-piece, despite the setbacks in the opening 50 minutes, went well and they touched down three times via Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Jack Conan to secure the win.

The Irish will secure the Grand Slam if they defeat England in Dublin on Saturday, while the Scots ― after opening with back-to-back wins ― go into their final match at home to Italy with little to play for other than pride.

Prior to kick-off Stuart Hogg was accompanied onto the pitch by his children ahead of his 100th cap.  The Scotland full-back was visibly emotional during the national anthems, and his son then returned to the field to present the match ball.

Hogg had to quickly get his game face on, however, as Ireland set about making their presence felt in the early stages, threatening the try-line.  The Scots were forced into a change after just six minutes when lock Richie Gray went off injured and was replaced by Scott Cummings.

Ireland almost made the breakthrough in the 11th minute when Hansen was picked out wide on the right but Duhan van der Merwe did just enough to pull him into touch.  The Irish had already earned a penalty advantage and Sexton duly kicked between the sticks from close range to get his side off the mark.

Injury woes

This phase of play came at a cost, however, as Doris went off injured and was replaced by Conan.

After doing well to ride out the early period of pressure by conceding just three points, Scotland forced their way into the game.  They got themselves in front in the 17th minute when Jones bounded over after being set up by his fellow Glasgow centre Sione Tuipulotu following a sustained period of pressure in front of the Irish line.

There was a further blow for the men in green as Sheehan went off immediately after the try to be replaced by Kelleher, and remarkably Henderson became the third Irish player forced off by injury when he went off to be replaced by Ryan Baird in the 24th minute.

☘️ Still having an effective set-piece with your prop hooking in the scrum and your flanker throwing at the lineout feels very Ireland.

Adaptable. Skilful. Composed under pressure. 👏 pic.twitter.com/23wgjUNKX1

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 12, 2023

Having looked temporarily rattled by the Scots, Ireland regained their composure and hit back in the 28th minute when Hansen managed to plant the ball down just inside the line despite the best efforts of Van der Merwe to force him out after a looping pass out to the right from Hugo Keenan.

Johnny Sexton was wide with his conversion attempt, and the visitors went in at the end of a ferociously-contested first half with a one-point lead.

Second half

Ireland got themselves some breathing space for the first time in the match when Lowe evaded the attention of Kyle Steyn to touch down in the 57th minute after his teammates had done well to work the ball from right to left.  Sexton made no mistake with the conversion.

And five minutes later, the Irish went further ahead when substitute Conan bolted over on the right after an offload from Hansen.  Sexton was again successful in adding the extras to take his Six Nations all-time total to 557 ― level with Ronan O’Gara.

Ireland’s injury woes continued when Garry Ringrose went off on the buggy in the closing stages, leaving head coach Andy Farrell with a string of fitness concerns ahead of his rampant side’s shot at glory next weekend.

France embarrass England at Twickenham in record victory

France put in a masterclass of a performance as they hammered England 53-10 in a record-breaking showing in their Six Nations clash on Saturday.

It was a wonderful display from the visitors to Twickenham as they scored an unbelievable seven tries to England’s one, silencing the home supporters.

Thomas Ramos’ opening score was added to by a brace apiece from Thibaud Flament, Charles Ollivon and Damian Penaud as they put on a rugby clinic.

Freddie Steward claimed England‘s only crossing of the evening as this was a chastening defeat that will no doubt sting Steve Borthwick and his players.

The gulf between the rivals was embarrassing as the World Cup hosts registered their first Six Nations victory at Twickenham since 2005 in a glorious return to form having laboured through much of the tournament.

And it only gets harder for Borthwick’s men as, having faced the team positioned second in the global rankings, they must travel to Dublin next Saturday to take on Grand Slam-chasing Ireland, who occupy the summit.

Marcus Smith did everything he could having ousted Owen Farrell at fly-half, but with his forwards dismantled at every turn he was powerless to halt the collapse.

For all the talk of England playing with pace, it was France who raced out of the blocks and when lock Paul Willemse offloaded out of the tackle they were away, with Ethan Dumortier sending Ramos over in the left corner.

Ramos added a penalty to reward another Les Bleus attack and with only 10 minutes on the clock it was already looking bleak for the hosts.

England were hamstrung by their discipline at the breakdown and apart from a forceful run by Steward they were struggling to make any impression as rain began to fall.

Inroads were made through the maul but with Jack van Poortvliet fumbling again, the progress was lost and the familiar sight of France rampaging downfield resumed.

Antoine Dupont grew in influence as he weaved his magic around the ruck but it was the power of forwards François Cros and Flament that did the damage for the next try.

Flament crossed in the 26th minute but it was too easy for the lock as passive England were overpowered in contact.

And their scrum defence was horribly exposed in first-half injury-time when Gregory Alldritt charged forward and seeing blue shirts lined up in support, sent Ollivon crashing over.

France absolutely and totally dominant.  Flament was exceptional, Ramos phenomenonal, Fickou and Danty perfect, Dupont was Dupont.  Everyone had at least an 8.5/10 game.

What a World Cup we have in store.

— Sam Larner (@SamLStandsUp) March 11, 2023

England needed to act quickly and hope appeared to have arrived when Smith delivered a terrific kick on the run for Max Malins but the wing knocked-on over the line.

It was now France’s defence that was disintegrating and after waves of attacks they were breached with Steward riding a tackle to slide over.

England quickly renewed their attack but the fightback faltered when a cruel bounce deceived their backfield defence, allowing Romain Ntamack to flick the ball to Flament who scored.

And there was more misfortune when Smith was driven over his line by Dupont as he covered for a kick and Ollivon touched down when he let go of the ball before two late tries by wing Penaud drove the final nail into England’s coffin.

Wales claim bonus-point win over wasteful Italy in Rome

Wales picked up their first victory of the 2023 Six Nations campaign after they beat Italy 29-17 in Rome, exacting revenge for last year’s defeat.

Tries from Rio Dyer, Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau were added to by a penalty try as Warren Gatland’s men secured a priceless bonus point win.

Sebastian Negri and Ignacio Brex crossed in defeat for Italy, who will lament a series of costly errors as it was a wasteful performance from the hosts.

Wales head to Paris next for a Six Nations appointment with France and, while that assignment is a daunting one, they can at least travel with a degree of confidence after claiming a first win since Gatland returned for his second stint as head coach.

Gatland made six changes to the side beaten by England last time out, with scrum-half Rhys Webb handed a first Test start since October 2020, while there were also call-ups for Liam Williams, Dyer, Wyn Jones, Dafydd Jenkins and Jac Morgan.

Italy were without injured playmaker Ange Capuozzo, so Harlequins fly-half Tommaso Allan featured at full-back in a solitary switch following the Azzurri’s battling display against Ireland two weeks ago.

Wales started brightly in glorious conditions, creating quick possession and looking to attack in wide channels before fly-half Owen Williams kicked them ahead through a sixth-minute penalty.

Italy looked lethargic and nervous in comparison and Wales extended their lead with a ninth-minute try.

Webb kicked over the top of Italy’s defence and Dyer made the most of a kind bounce to gather before sprinting over.  Williams’ conversion opened up a 10-0 lead and the visitors were off to a flying start.

Italy needed a response and it arrived through an Allan penalty after 16 minutes, yet Wales were immediately back on the front foot.

Their attacking game had a real urgency about it, but a second try inside the opening quarter owed everything to Liam Williams’ individual brilliance.

Receiving the ball a metre from the touchline, Williams beat five Italy defenders as he cut back inside on a stunning run at pace and Wales retained control of the contest, 15-3 in front.

Italy tested Wales via a long-range counter-attack, but they were denied a try by Owen Williams’ superb tackle on Brex.

Williams then kicked Wales deep into the Italian 22 and a powerful lineout drive resulted in Italy illegally collapsing a maul.

Referee Damon Murphy awarded Wales a penalty try and yellow-carded Italy number eight Lorenzo Cannone, with the visitors taking a 22-3 lead into half-time.

Italy served notice of their quality by scoring a try just three minutes after the restart when Allan’s clever kick into space was collected by Negri, who finished strongly.

Allan’s conversion cut the deficit to 12 points, but Italy then saw a second player yellow-carded after wing Pierre Bruno led with his arm into Wales prop Jones’ throat.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Rhys Webb has been excellent today. #GuinnessSixNations #ITAvWAL pic.twitter.com/zi3pGEdRPP

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 11, 2023

And Wales punished their hosts when Webb broke clear and delivered a scoring pass to Faletau, with Williams’ conversion opening up a 29-10 lead and securing a bonus point.

Liam Williams was forced off injured 19 minutes from time, being replaced by George North, with North’s fellow replacement Louis Rees-Zammit moving to full-back.

Italy, despite their deficit, had not given up the ghost and they claimed a second try after 67 minutes.

Bruno ran strongly at the heart of Wales’ defence and support runner Brex finished off the move, with Allan’s conversion making it 29-17, but that was as close as Italy could get.