Ireland made history by sealing a historic Six Nations Grand Slam after victory over England
Ireland claimed a historic first Six Nations Grand Slam in Dublin, and fourth, courtesy of a 29-16 win over England in a fervent Aviva Stadium, after the visitors lost full-back Freddie Steward to a red card at the First half.
Previous All-Ireland Grand Slam victories in 1948 (Belfast), 2009 (Cardiff) and 2018 (Twickenham) had all been won away from home, but attempts by hooker Dan Sheehan (two), center Robbie Henshaw and replacement Rob Herring confirmed a title winner. success.
Ireland – Tries: Sheehan (33, 68), Henshaw (62), Herring (77). Disadvantages: Sacristán (35, 63, 70). Feathers: Sacristan (19).
England – Tries: George (73). Disadvantages: Farrell (73). Feathers: Farrell (8, 15, 51).
Skipper Johnny Sexton also had nine points off the boot in his last Six Nations Test, becoming the championship’s all-time leading points scorer in the process.
Johnny Sexton led Ireland to Grand Slam success in the final Six Nations test of his career.
England captain Owen Farrell had put his team into a 6-0 lead, but Steward’s harsh red card for making head contact with opposite number Hugo Keenan proved to be a defining moment.
Despite the hosts putting in a nervous performance overall, nothing could sour Ireland’s day after a marvelous Championship win for Andy Farrell’s side.
Farrell had put the visitors 6-0 ahead on 15 minutes before Sexton kicked Ireland on the scoreboard with a 37-metre penalty after England prop Kyle Sinckler was penalized in the tie-break, becoming the top scorer for England. All-time Six Nations points to do then.
Sexton converted a penalty against England to become the all-time leading Six Nations points scorer
Another unnecessary penalty, Ellis Genge taking a player off the ball, gave Ireland the chance to attack on the 22nd and they seized the ruthless advantage when the standout Sheehan burst through with a superbly disguised Josh van der Flier inside ball, dodging the defenders. of England on its way to grounding. Sexton converted with aplomb for a 10-6 lead.
Dan Sheehan broke through to score the first try for a nervous Ireland
The game-changing moment came shortly before the interval when Steward fouled – he picked off Keenan with a bent arm and connected with the Irish full-back’s head after he fumbled – resulting in a red card as South African referee Jaco . Peyper confirmed that he was unable to find any mitigation.
Hugo Keenan was hit on the head by Freddie Steward in an incident late in the first half
Referee Jaco Peyper gave Steward a red card for the tackle.
It looked like a tough decision, with the England man turning and preparing for contact after a knockout rather than initiating a forceful act, although Keenan would not return for the second half, such was the ferocity of the impact.
The start of the second half saw Farrell next door to score points off the tee after another scrum decision went in England’s favour, narrowing the gap to just one point.
As the tension in the stadium mounted, Ireland finally ruthlessly got going on 62 minutes when a returning Henshaw leaped for his crucial second try from Bundee Aki’s short pass.
Robbie Henshaw scores Ireland’s second try
A terrific choke maul, led by the effervescent Sexton and Aki, halted England’s attacking response, but Sheehan soon had his second try, diving into the corner after a brilliant play full of fast passes, fast running lines and finishing. by a magnificent discharge of Jack Conan out of touch.
Sheehan scored his second and Ireland’s third six minutes later.
Dan Sheehan celebrates after scoring his second try of the match against England
Sexton drilled over the touchline conversion with his arms raised, and though England landed a second half-punch in the form of a wonderful Jamie George maul attempt, Jack Willis was soon removed by a dangerous raised tackle on Ross Byrne. , and replacement hooker Herring. then stretched to confirm the bonus point.
That left the Aviva Stadium awash with performances from the Athenry Fields on a momentous day.
Replacement hooker Rob Herring scored Ireland’s fourth try with four minutes remaining
Final classification of the Six Nations 2023
| Equipment | W | D. | L | South Dakota | PA | P |
| Ireland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 4 | 27 |
| France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 59 | 4 | twenty |
| Scotland | 3 | 0 | 2 | twenty | 3 | fifteen |
| England | 2 | 0 | 3 | -35 | 2 | 10 |
| Welsh | 1 | 0 | 4 | -63 | 2 | 6 |
| Italy | 0 | 0 | 5 | -60 | 1 | 1 |
What they say…
Ireland Head coach Andy Farrell told ITV Sport after the game…
“It’s the fourth time we’ve done it, it’s the first time we’ve done it at home, it means a lot to everyone here and to the millions of Irish around the world to be able to do it on Saint Patrick’s weekend.
“Winning a Grand Slam is always a bit special. It was a difficult time for a while, thanks to France for the pressure they put on in the last two games. We knew it was win at all costs.”
“The game was intermittent – it was an old-fashioned test match but again, we were disappointed with some aspects of the game, but we did win a bonus point again, so I think that’s where we are.” at the moment.
“Hopefully there’s bigger fish to fry for Johnny (Sexton) with the World Cup etc., but it’s incredibly fitting for him to have this moment to lift the trophy.
“I actually wanted to go and pick him up with someone else and I told him that he shouldn’t, that he has to do this and enjoy his moment because he deserved it.”
“He is one of the best, if not the best, Ireland has produced, and what a way to come out of the Six Nations, lifting the trophy in a Grand Slam.”
England captain Owen Farrell told ITV Sport…
“First of all, congratulations to Ireland. Winning the Grand Slam is special, so it’s been a brilliant effort from them in this Six Nations.
“I thought we showed a lot of fight. I thought we probably took too many penalties in the first half, allowing Ireland to go in, but we fought to their line and when we got there we came away with some points.
“Obviously the game changed with the red card. We still showed a brilliant amount of fighting after that, we worked hard for each other and we held our own.”
“It seemed like we were causing problems on some points, but against a top team like Ireland in the end it showed.”
Whats Next?
Ireland complete their 2023 Six Nations campaign with a record of five wins out of five, having beaten France and England in Dublin, and won on the road against Wales, Italy and Scotland.
Farrell’s team are next in international action in August for their Rugby World Cup build-up tests, with two games announced so far against Italy (August 5) at Murrayfield and England (August 19) at Aviva Stadium. .
Ireland 2023 Six Nations Schedule
| Saturday, February 4 | Wales 10-34 Ireland | |
| Saturday, February 11 | Ireland 32-19 France | |
| Saturday, February 25 | Italy 20-34 Ireland | |
| Sunday, March 12 | Scotland 7-22 Ireland | |
| Saturday, March 18 | Ireland 29-16 England |
England end their campaign under Borthwick with three defeats out of five and two wins, following home defeats to Scotland and France at Twickenham, a defeat to Ireland in Dublin, as well as a home win over Italy and an away win against Wales.
Borthwick’s charges have announced four Rugby World Cup warm-up matches for August: against Wales (August 5) in Cardiff, Wales (August 12) in Twickenham, Ireland (August 19) in Dublin and Fiji (26 August) and Twickenham.
England Six Nations Schedule 2023
| Saturday, February 4 | England 23-29 Scotland | |
| Sunday, February 12 | England 31-14 Italy | |
| Saturday, February 25 | Wales 10-20 England | |
| Saturday, March 11 | England 10-53 France | |
| Saturday, March 18 | Ireland 29-16 England |
