Joe Schmidt hails Irish 'resilience' after clinching Grand Slam title

Reflecting not just on Saturday's 24-15 win against the English but on Ireland's Championship campaign as a whole, Schmidt suggested it was his side's 'steel' which helped carry them to glory

Joe Schmidt guided Ireland to a first Grand Slam title since 2009 (Getty)

It all started with that kick. Under the bright lights of the Stade de France, with the clock in red and one point adrift of their hosts, for 41 phases Ireland gave it their all. Then, up stepped Jonny Sexton. An oasis of calm in a maelstrom, the fly-half drop-kicked his side to victory. It was a moment of high-octant drama and one that confirmed Ireland were on to something special.

Fast forward to St Patrick's Day and this never-say-die spirit has seen Ireland all the way to Six Nations victory and their first Grand Slam victory since 2009. Reflecting not just on Saturday's 24-15 win against the English but on Ireland's Championship campaign as a whole, coach Joe Schmidt suggested it was his side's "steel" which helped carry them to glory.

"I think it's probably the resilience," he said after the final whistle. "I felt that we were really struggling in France in that last eight minutes. When you've controlled the game, missed a kick to go up, that's tough, then suddenly to find you're 13-12 down... to show the steel that they did and show the commitment. Just playing ordinary rugby, to keep the ball, to connect up, to win the ball in the air and then the exceptional talent Jonny [Sexton] has of putting the ball between the uprights.

"As frustrating as it was when Wales got so close to getting back to us when we had a 14-point lead, again it never really felt like we'd give that up...

"Today, I think that eight minutes after half time summed up this team. Yes they can put together some really good moments and score tries... [but] the pure resilience to get back up in the defensive line and keep them [England] off our try line in that eight minutes was exceptional."

For captain Rory Best, Saturday's victory was the realisation of a boyhood dream. When asked how Ireland's Grand Slam title compares to the 2009 success, Best replied: "For me, personally, it's obviously a little bit more special. Not only starting every game but captaining the side; it's something that every kid grows up dreaming of...

"To win something as captain in that special green jersey is something that dreams are made of and certainly for me it's up there as the biggest highlight of my career."