Ireland have been crowned Six Nations champions, and completed a grand slam, after surging to a 29-16 final-round win over England in Dublin this morning.
England took an early 6-0 lead from Owen Farrell penalties, but a late first-half red card to England’s Freddie Steward proved pivotal after he was given his marching orders by referee Jaco Peyper for making contact with the head of Ireland’s Hugo Keenan.
Hooker Dan Sheehan scored the opening try of the game, in the 33rd minute, to put Ireland in front, but they held just a 10-6 lead at halftime, with their advantage narrowed to just one point via Farrell 10 minutes after the break.
However, the one-man advantage eventually told, with the hosts running in three tries in the final quarter.
Robbie Henshaw went over in the 62nd minute, then Sheehan had his second in the 68th, and captain Johnny Sexton’s conversions had the home side sorted at 24-9.
Jamie George got one back for the visitors in the 73rd minute to give them a sniff, before Jack Willis was sin-binned for a reckless tackle and Rob Herring went over to seal the deal for the Irish.
In other results, Scotland edged Italy 26-14 and France thrashed Wales 41-28.
[Source: Stuff.co.nz]
