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:
Ireland 10-6 England, 40 minutes
Almost a delightful move from Ireland - Dan Sheehan leaving one behind for Jamison Gibson-Park on the loop, with Johnny Sexton coming around the corner, too. Sexton finds Mack Hansen off his wing, but Hansen is caught as he tries to pass and loses control with both of his back-three colleagues waiting for a pass.
Oh dear - Hugo Keenan colllides uncomfortably with Freddie Steward’s elbow as he stoops to try and collect the forward spill. It looks accidental - but that may not matter...
Ireland 10-6 England, 39 minutes
Bundee Aki says a curt hello to Jack van Poortvliet, who does rather well, in the end, hanging on to an ankle to prevent Aki making much more advancement after an initial brusque biff. Kyle Sinckler is soon penalised for offside, though.
Ireland 10-6 England, 38 minutes
Henry Arundell activates the spark plugs, legs pumping as he tries to tempt Mack Hansen into a false move. Hansen holds his ground, waiting for supporting inside defenders to come across and entrap the first-time England starter, who is held up in a choke tackle. Turnover, Ireland’s ball.
Ireland 10-6 England, 37 minutes
That’s a better aerial involvement from Steward, up with real command as Johnny Sexton tests him with a garryowen from a free kick.
England thump the ball back to their hosts, with a bothersome boot at a ruck drawing a knock on from Jamison Gibson-Park at the base.
Ireland 10-6 England, 35 minutes
Freddie Steward is put off by the presence of James Lowe in the air, with the normally rock-solid full back spilling forward as he lands on his back. TMO Marius Jonker calls down to Jaco Peyper, requesting a check of a possible nudge on Lowe by Anthony Watson, but there’s no significant contact.
TRY! IRELAND 10-6 England (Dan Sheehan try, 33 minutes)
The Aviva Stadium erupts!
Wonderfully worked! Ireland maul initially, waiting for all of the English forwards to be sucked in. Josh van der Flier waits at the back, Dan Sheehan holding off after his throw and the pair bursting away in unison.
Van der Flier draws the close-in defender wider with an angled run before lifting a perfect pass for a bounding Sheehan, who takes at full tilt. Manu Tuilagi tries to halt the hooker with a firm shoulder, but Sheehan is already in.
Johnny Sexton converts.
Ireland 3-6 England, 31 minutes
The aerial contest has been fascinating so far, with Ireland avoiding Freddie Steward when they can. Hugo Keenan takes a high hoist with Steward too far back to compete.
England are making a number of contacts off the ball, trying to disrupt Ireland’s attacking rhythm. One of them, from Ellis Genge on Jamison Gibson-Park, is picked up by Jaco Peyper, who whistles a penalty Ireland’s way. That’s perhaps slightly harsh, based on the replay - there wasn’t much in that from the prop.
Ireland 3-6 England, 30 minutes
The crowd boo - a penalty to England in retreat at the scrum. The officials believe Andrew Porter has stepped around to create the angle to drive forward. The loosehead prop does not agree.
England kick up into Ireland’s half.
Ireland 3-6 England, 28 minutes
England have already missed 15 tackles but their line speed and intensity is causing Ireland problems. Visiting defence coach Kevin Sinfield shares a word with his head coach, Steve Borthwick nodding along. This has been so much better than a week ago from their side.
Ireland 3-6 England, 27 minutes
Jack Willis rocks back Mack Hansen with a driving tackle as Jamison Gibson-Park flicks to his wing from the back of a feigned Irish maul.
England’s red zone defence has been good so far. Ryan Baird fumbles under pressure from Manu Tuilagi.
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