Ireland complete Grand Slam in Dublin

By Mark Stevens
18/3/23

Ireland won their fourth Grand Slam as they wore down 14-man England in a tense Six Nations finale in Dublin.

Two early Owen Farrell penalties put England ahead before Ireland hit back with a well-worked Dan Sheehan try.

England's hopes of an upset were dashed when Freddie Steward was sent off just before half-time.

Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring tries either side of Sheehan's second of the game ensured Ireland's first Grand Slam in five years, and first won in Dublin.

England, much improved from their humiliating defeat by France at Twickenham last week, scored a deserved second-half try through Jamie George, but were unable to pull off a major upset and ruin Ireland's big day.

Head coach Steve Borthwick says he "cannot do anything about the past" after his first Six Nations in charge ended in a fourth-place finish.

After taking over in December, Borthwick is "excited" to work towards the World Cup, starting in September.

"We've got to learn and we've got to learn fast," said Borthwick, who believes having the team in camp for longer before the World Cup means "players will understand how we want to play".

"The Six Nations has been five intense games," Borthwick continued. "You have one main training session a week. We've seen some growth here but I think we'll see more in that period [before the World Cup]."

England beat Italy and Wales but were outclassed by France in a record defeat at Twickenham before putting up a good fight in defeat by Grand Slam champions Ireland.

Borthwick admitted "the team is not where it could be" when compared with "teams that have used this four-year [World Cup] cycle well".

He explained: "That's not the position England are in. I can't do anything about the past. I can only do something about the future. We are working really hard to put England in the best position possible and I'm excited about what these players can do at the World Cup."