By HQ
March 20 2023

England were beaten 29-16 by Ireland in the final round of the Guinness Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Nine points from the boot of Owen Farrell and a Jamie George try could not deny the Irish, who claimed their fourth-ever Grand Slam courtesy of nine points from Johnny Sexton, and tries from Dan Sheehan (2), Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring.

England were forced to defend in the early exchanges, as Ireland put width on the ball, but Borthwick’s men remained resolute. The visitors didn’t have the ball until the fifth minute, but looked fluid in attack when they got it, as the returning Manu Tuilagi got over the gain line and Freddie Steward entered the attacking line at will.

Farrell successfully nudged a penalty over on the seven-minute mark, in front of the posts, after an Irish infringement at the breakdown - and he doubled the lead inside the opening quarter with another simple penalty as England looked to take early control of the Test match.

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Baird, Ryan; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Healy, O'Toole, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, R Byrne, O'Brien.

England: Steward; Watson, Slade, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (c), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Ribbans, Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Mitchell, Smith, Marchant.

Match officials

Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)

Touch judges: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ) and Pierre Brousset (FRA)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)

Full Match Report Here

Well Done Irelan on he Grand Slam