Ireland celebrate Grand Slam glory after hard fought win over 14-man England

IRELAND claimed a fourth Grand Slam and first in Dublin when finally breaking 14-man England's stubborn resistance in the final quarter to record a 29-16 success at a heaving Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

Pre-match favourites Ireland had to work really hard for this famous success against gritty opponents who played more than half the game with 14 men following the red-carding of full-back Freddie Steward.

Ireland seemed edgy for long periods of the contest, hampering their own progress with a string of uncharacteristic, unforced errors.

However, three final quarter tries from Robbie Henshaw and hooker Dan Sheehan, his second of the contest, as well as replacement Rob Herring, ultimately helped secure a Triple Crown and Grand Slam for Ireland, much to the delight of a sold-out Lansdowne Road venue.

Ireland have now clinched a fourth Grand Slam following their previous successes of 1948, 2009 and 2018. It was also a fifth Six Nations Championship for the men in green in the past 15 seasons.

Ireland have won seven Triple Crowns since 2000, more than any other nation has achieved.

The game began in bright sunshine as the showers from earlier in the day cleared in time for the kick-off at an expectant Lansdowne Road.

Visitors England began the game in impressive fashion, making strong carries, holding onto the ball and building phases. The visitors' industry was rewarded when awarded an eighth minute penalty goal as Ireland strayed off-side.

Owen Farrell kicked England into a 3-0 lead from the straight forward penalty award.

Ireland hit back, making yardage with a couple of nice switch plays in the 12th minute. Awarded a penalty, Ireland opted for a quick tap through Johnny Sexton but the out-half was judged to have been held up over the line. England were then awarded a goal-line drop out.

Soon after, Farrell added three more points after Ireland's Andrew Porter was penalised at the breakdown to double England's advantage to 6-0.

Ireland needed to score next you felt and after England were pinged for 'killing' the ball on the ground, Sexton duly obliged when landing a 19th minute penalty goal for 6-3. The successful kick saw Sexton become the all-time leading points scorer in the Six Nations championship.

Ireland enjoyed a period of good possession subsequently, but a series of unforced errors halted their progress. Ireland looked somewhat nervy through that opening 27 minutes.

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WHAT A MOVE!
WHAT A TURN OF PACE!
WHAT A PLAYER HE IS!#IREvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/BztiGFLSJ8

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 18, 2023

The break Ireland craved arrived in the 34th minute when the home side struck for the game's opening try off a well-executed set-piece move. 

From a penalty award, Ireland opted for a kick to touch. James Ryan won the line-out and Ireland gained momentum off a well-executed maul. Flanker Van der Flier made a burst off the maul before finding hooker Dan Sheehan with a clever inside pass. The Leinster man then barged his way past a number of tackles before powering over the tryline for a crucial five-pointer. 

Sexton duly added the extras and Ireland now led 10-6.

The game swung in Ireland's favour in the minutes leading up to half-time. 

England full-back Freddie Steward saw red after he clattered into his opposite number Hugo Keenan. Ireland then had an opportunity to put some real daylight between the sides at the break, but were unable to breach England's stubborn defence.

Keenan was replaced by Jimmy O'Brien and after a HIA it was confirmed he would not be returning to the game.

Ireland had to be satisfied with a four-point buffer at the mid-way point.

England then reduced Ireland's lead to a single point in the 50th minute when the home side was penalised at scrum time and Farrell superbly slotted the resultant penalty for 10-9.

Ireland looked edgy, unable t obuild any real momentum and allowing themselves to be dragged into a kick-chase fest.

The spark Ireland needed arrived on the hour mark when Sexton's spiral was superbly chased by Mack Hansen who forced England's Watson back over the goal line to earn a five metre scrum to the home side. 

A huge moment!@henshawrob slices through and Ireland edge further ahead.#IREvENG | #SuperSaturday ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Kv8FOEdrRD

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 18, 2023

From the scrum, Ireland earned a penalty advantage and moved the ball quickly. Bundee Aki then popped the ball inside to his centre partner Henshaw who crashed over the tryline.

Sexton also added the conversion to push the home side into a two-score lead, 17-9.

The seven-pointer finally broke England's stubborn resistance. Hooker Dan Sheehan dotted down for his own second and Ireland's third try in the 68th minute, following an excellent carry by Jack Conan.

Sexton duly added the extras from the right hand touchline to push Ireland's lead out to 15 points at 24-9.

England, to their credit hit back, and Jamie George barged over for a 73rd minute try with Farrell adding the conversion to cut Ireland's lead to eight points.

However, Ireland would have the final say on a famous day, grabbing the bonus point try through replacement hooker Rob Herring late on.

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Mack Hansen (Galway Corinthians/Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster), Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster) (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), James Ryan (UCD/Leinster), Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary's College/Leinster). Replacements: Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Tom O'Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Kieran Treadwell (Ballymena/Ulster), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Jimmy O'Brien (Naas/Leinster).

ENGLAND: Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers); Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks), Henry Arundell (London Irish); Owen Farrell (Saracens) (capt), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers); Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), Maro Itoje (Saracens), David Ribbans (Northampton Saints), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), Jack Willis (Toulouse), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins). Replacements: Jack Walker (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Joe Marchant (Harlequins).

REFEREE: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)