Ireland seal Slam in Sexton's Six Nations swansong
Ireland completed their fourth ever Six Nations Grand Slam with a 29-16 victory over England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, emphatically underlining their status as the world's top ranked team heading into September's World Cup. Andy Farrell's side were worthy of their clean sweep, having won all of their games by 13 points or more and ending 2022 winners France's 14-game unbeaten run along the way in one of the best championship games in recent memory. Two tries from Dan Sheehan and one each from Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring ensured Ireland finished ahead of France in second place and Scotland in third, while a third defeat for England left them in fourth place. Best of all for home fans in the middle of St Patrick's Day weekend celebrations, it was the first time Ireland had sealed the Grand Slam in Dublin, following Twickenham (2018), Cardiff (2009) and Belfast (1948). Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton became the Six Nations all-time record points scorer after landing a penalty, also going on to convert Sheehan's double and Henshaw's try. It was a dream final Six Nations Test for the talismanic Irish fly-half. "You couldn't make it up, it's like living in a dream," said Sexton in a pitchside interview at full-time. "We didn't play our best but bloody hell, what a team. What a group of coaches. To come here and get a win on St Patrick's weekend, it's unbelievable. What a day." Meanwhile, France ended their Six Nations campaign with an emphatic 41-28 victory over Wales at the Stade de France, turning in a performance that shows they will be among the favourites when they host the World Cup in six months. Flyhalf Blair Kinghorn made the most of a rare start with a hat-trick of tries as Scotland claimed a bonus-point 26-14 victory over Italy. (Reuters, AFP)