Ireland vs England LIVE: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction as Ireland seal grand slam after red card
Ireland 29-16 England: Freddie Steward’s controversial red card helped change the game as Ireland completed a deserved 2023 Six Nations grand slam in Dublin
Ireland completed just their fourth-ever Six Nations grand slam with a 29-16 victory over England at the Aviva Stadium, emphatically underlining their status as the world’s top-ranked team heading into September’s World Cup.
None of Ireland’s three previous clean sweeps had been completed in Dublin but this victory over their fiercest rivals was the sweetest way to seal a deserved grand slam on St Patrick’s Day weekend.
There was controversy late in the first half when England full back Freddie Steward was sent off for a dangerous hit on Hugo Keenan despite bracing for impact and turning away from his opposite number, with contact appearing accidental. The harsh call prompted a mountain of reaction on Twitter, including from England cricket captain Ben Stokes.
However, Ireland were still good value for their victory, as Dan Sheehan scored two tries, with Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring also dotting down, to fulfil Irish dreams.
Relive the action from the Aviva Stadium below:
Team News - England
After seeming so inferior physically against France, it is a mild surprise that Steve Borthwick does not make more changes to his starting group of forwards. The one alteration is enforced: Ollie Chessum has suffered an untimely dislocated ankle, throwing his World Cup participation into doubt after a bright debut Six Nations, so Dave Ribbans makes his first tournament start alongside Maro Itoje.
There are more significant switches behind the scrum. Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade unite in midfield for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final with Ollie Lawrence out due to injury, while Henry Arundell makes his first England start on the left wing.
On the bench, Dan Cole could bring up a century of England appearances in typically understated manner – the tighthead prop will be only the fourth man to reach 100 for England when he relieves Kyle Sinckler.
England XV: Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Dave Ribbans; Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis, Alex Dombrandt; Jack van Poortvliet, Owen Farrell (capt.); Henry Arundell, Manu Tuilagi, Henry Slade, Anthony Watson; Freddie Steward.
Replacements: Jack Walker, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Curry; Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Joe Marchant.
Team News - Ireland
Cian Healy and Josh van der Flier may have done a fine approximation of an Irish hooker in the win over Scotland but Andy Farrell will be mighty relieved to be able to call upon Dan Sheehan, with both the hooker and back row Caelan Doris cleared to start after early withdrawals at Murrayfield. Their Leinster teammate Ryan Baird comes in to the starting pack with Iain Henderson out.
Jamison Gibson-Park is preferred to Conor Murray at nine after adding his usual brand of zip and zeal from the bench a week ago. Thankfully, Garry Ringrose has been up and about this week and seems to be doing well after that horrible head-on-hip collision that ended his championship, with the centre handing great mate Josh van der Flier his 50th cap on Friday, but Farrell can boast a fully-fit Robbie Henshaw as more-than-handy cover.
Ireland XV: Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Ryan Baird, James Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris; Jamison Gibson-Park, Johnny Sexton (capt.); James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Mack Hansen; Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan; Conor Murray, Ross Byrne, Jimmy O’Brien.
Can Ireland win a Grand Slam?
That’s that for our live coverage of France’s win - we’ll have a load more reaction and analysis of their Six Nations over the next couple of days, along with an assessment of a Welsh campaign salvaged a little in the last two weeks but nonetheless leaving plenty of questions.
But we are now less than half-an-hour away from kick off at the Aviva Stadium, where Ireland’s men are hoping to seal a Six Nations Grand Slam in Dublin for the first time...
Prospect of Ireland’s dream weekend should leave England green with envy
The Irish are huge favourites to wrap up the Grand Slam on St Patrick’s Day weekend, with England under pressure to limit the damage and avoid further embarrassment in the Six Nations finale
F/T: France 41-28 Wales
There will be some stern words for France after letting things slip a little but they look in very fine fettle ahead of their home tournament in the autumn. Their attacking game has been back in full flow in the last two weeks, aided by Jonathan Danty’s explosive return at inside centre.
F/T: France 41-28 Wales
Four Welsh tries won’t at all please Shaun Edwards, but France finish with a bonus point win to at least put a little extra pressure on Ireland this evening. It looked at one stage in the second half like the hosts would carve Wales open, but where England faded last week, Warren Gatland’s side grew to end their campaign in a much more positive manner.
Let’s be clear - Wales are still a long way off, but there were plenty of good bits to give Gatland a little more confidence leading in to his summer of World Cup preparations.
TRY! France 41-28 WALES (Rio Dyer, 80 minutes)
Wales will go away with a bonus point!
That’s a top finish from Rio Dyer. Justin Tipuric puts the ball in his gas-man’s hands, and the wing bolts between Damian Penaud and Thomas Ramos, sending the pair sprawling away as he keeps his legs churning.
He slides over to ensure the last note is a Welsh one - Leigh Halfpenny’s final act in the Six Nations, you would think, is a typically precise touchline conversion to further narrow the final margin.
TRY! FRANCE 41-21 Wales (Damian Penaud try, 78 minutes)
Another simple run-in for Damian Penaud!
France bide their time and pick their moment to play wide, with the right wing in space and screaming for the ball. Thomas Ramos evades Rio Dyer to ensure the space remains as he releases a pass, and Penaud ambles in for his second try of the afternoon. Up the French try-scoring charts he continues to climb - he’s beyond the late, great Christophe Dominici now.
Ramos converts superbly once more.
France 34-21 Wales, 76 minutes
France’s maul is collapsed by a Welshman. Penalty.
Peato Mauvaka taps and rumbles. Maxime Lucu runs a switch play with Jonathan Danty, who pushes close. Six Nations debutant Bastien Chalureau nearly reaches the line with a long plant of the left arm, but is stopped short.
France 34-21 Wales, 75 minutes
Another Ramos nudge is carried over the touchline by a corner-flagging Tomos Williams.
Three French changes. Yoram Moefana, Maxime Lucu and Sekou Macalou come on, with Ethan Dumortier, Antoine Dupont and Charles Ollivon replaced.
Leigh Halfpenny and Owen Williams are introduced by Warren Gatland.
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