Ireland wins the Six Nations and its first Grand Slam in Dublin
The 29-16 win over England is Ireland’s first Six Nations title since 2018 and their fourth Grand Slam.
Ireland completed their fourth ever major Six Nations tournament with a 29-16 victory over England at the Aviva Stadium, emphatically confirming their status as the best rugby union team in the world ahead of the World Cup in September.
The Irish came into the tournament as heavy favorites and swept it to make a big statement six months into the Rugby World Cup, having never won a knockout match.
A month after beating the reigning champions and finishing second France at home, Ireland dealt with a game but England weren’t enough and took the most points from victory and at least four tries at a busy Lansdowne Road.
Coach Andy Farrell’s side were worthy of victory, having won all of their games by 13 points or more and France ended a 14-match unbeaten run along the way in one of the best matches of the tournament in recent memory.
Two tries from Dan Sheehan and one each from Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring ensured Ireland finished ahead of France in second and Scotland in third while a third defeat of England left them in fourth.
Captain Jonathan Sexton received a perfect send-off in his final Six Nations Grand Slam game and the tournament record for all-time points scoring. He limped out with six minutes to a standing ovation.
The 37-year-old moved to 560 to overtake Ronan O’Gara, his predecessor at fly-half, in his 60th and final Test of the Six Nations. O’Gara played 63.
O’Gara remains Ireland’s all-time record points scorer at 1,083 with Sexton on 1,050 before kick-off against England.
Best of all for home fans in the middle of the St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebrations, it was the first time Ireland had closed Grand Slam tournaments in Dublin after doing so at Twickenham (2018), Cardiff (2009) and Belfast (1948).
