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

(AFP via Getty Images)

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 vs England - live Six Nations updates

• Ireland beat England 29-16 in the final match of the 2023 Six Nations
• Ireland complete an impressive grand slam in Dublin for the first time
• Freddie Steward controversially red-carded for England in the first half
• FULL-TIME! Ireland 29-16 England
• 77’ - TRY! Herring adds the icing by stretching out to score (IRE 29-16 ENG)
• 73’ - TRY! George forces way over from a maul to give England deserved try (IRE 24-16 ENG)
• 69’ - TRY! Great hands by Conan allows Sheehan to touch down (IRE 24-9 ENG)
• 62’ - TRY! Henshaw goes over from Aki’s pass (IRE 17-9 ENG)
• 51’ - PENALTY! Farrell close the gap to a single point for 14-man England (IRE 10-9 ENG)
• 40’ - RED CARD! Steward shown controversial red after making contact with Keenan’s head (IRE 10-6 ENG)
• 33’ - TRY! Sheehan runs a great line on to Van der Flier’s inside pass (IRE 10-6 ENG)
• ‘Shambles, shambles, shambles’: Ben Stokes and others react to controversial Freddie Steward red card
• France down Wales 41-28 to put themselves in position to nick the title if Ireland slip up
• Scotland beat Italy 26-14 in a thriller to kick off Super Saturday

[18 March 2023 12:38 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! Scotland 0-3 ITALY (Tommaso Allan penalty, 8 minutes)

Indeed he does. From just right of centre inside the Scotland 22, Allan puts Italy ahead.

[18 March 2023 12:37 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 0-0 Italy, 6 minutes

That’s a statement of intent from the Italian maul - forwards they march, with Scotland struggling to halt them legally. George Turner is penalised for falling beneath it, and with the advantage coming Italy spread it.

Two more penalisable infringements against Scotland - might Angus Gardner consider a card? No, just back for the penalty as Juan Ignacio Brex’s wide fling evades Simone Gesi.

Italy aren’t tempted to try again at the lineout; Tommaso Allan will surely this time knock through the three.

[18 March 2023 12:35 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 0-0 Italy, 5 minutes

A defensive breakdown infringement gives Italy another penalty in not dissimilar position, but Paolo Garbisi takes charge and will punt down into the Scottish 22.

Lovely kick. Giacomo Nicotera will throw 12 metres out.

[18 March 2023 12:34 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Missed penalty! Scotland 0-0 Italy, 4 minutes

Not the best of starts from the tee from Tommaso Allan, once of Scotland’s Under-20s. A bit of a snap hook, and away to the left from 40 metres out.

[18 March 2023 12:33 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 0-0 Italy, 2 minutes

Juan Ignacio Brex carves on an outside arc before straightening, well held by a crabbing Kinghorn. Tommaso Allan steps in at first receiver and launches an up-and-under.

A couple more kicks and Italy get over the ball as Scotland take contact, Danilo Fischetti knifing in after Scotland’s initial clearers fail to protect a tackled Duhan van der Merwe. Italy will have first go at starting the scoring.

[18 March 2023 12:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 0-0 Italy, 1 minute

Sharp start from Jack Dempsey, catching and shimmying to find Italy a little short on the left, allowing Duhan van der Merwe to go thumping up the touchline.

Scotland soon test Italy’s aerial acumen. A couple of phases later and Italy also look to the skies, with Blair Kinghorn taking with a juggle and launching a useful touch-finder from inside his own 22. Italy’s lineout inside their own half.

[18 March 2023 12:30 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Off we go...

The best part of seven hours of almost non-stop rugby ahead of us - are you ready?

Paolo Garbisi is the opening act on this Super Saturday. The Italy fly-half has the ball, Angus Gardner blows his whistle, and Scotland vs Italy is underway!

[18 March 2023 12:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland vs Italy - Match Officials

Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)

ARs: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Craig Evans (Wal)

TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)

[18 March 2023 12:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Flower of Scotland

Ben Healy delivers what I believe is his first on-field rendition of “Flower of Scotland” - the Ireland-born fly-half qualifies through his Scottish mother, and this will be a mighty proud day for the whole Healy family.

Typically delightful from the Murrayfield chorus.

[18 March 2023 12:26 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland vs Italy - Il Canto degli Italiani

Much of the Italian squad claps their right fist across their heart. Danilo Fischetti closes his eyes and lifts his chin, a melodious delivering of the notes, before opening the eyelids and his mouth to roar out the final crescendo.