Wales vs Ireland LIVE: Hosts hammer visitors to claim 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam
Here's how the final day of the Six Nations championship played out
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Wales thrashed Ireland 25-7 to win the Six Nations Grand Slam.
Hadleigh Parkes' try inside just 70 seconds set the tone before fly-half Gareth Anscombe took over from the tee to add a further 20 points as the hosts hit the front and never looked back.
Ireland scored with the final play of the game to avoid being left scoreless but it was a day to forget for them in Cardiff.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load
Italy 14-20 France, 76 minutes
Italy look for Sergio Parisse at the line out but France have read it.
They clear to halfway. Have Italy squandered their opportunity?
Italy 14-20 France, 77 minutes
Italy have a sniff of an overlap after Cherif Traore carries powerfully, but Edoardo Padovani drops the ball as he reaches to collect the pass designed to open up the space.
France scrum.
Italy 14-20 France, 78 minutes
Another strong scrum from the rejigged French front row. Louis Picamoles uses up time with a meandering carry from the base.
Baptiste Serin goes to the air, and France reclaim...
TRY! Italy 14-25 France (Damian Penaud, 78 minutes)
What a try! Brilliant by Romain Ntamack!
Jayden Hayward moves forward to collect the box kick but Ntamack rises highest, dominating the contest and ripping the ball down into his grasp.
And as he tumbles to floor he produces a sumptuous offload to Damian Penaud in support and the Clermont flyer has just enough energy in cramping legs to get over the line.
A ten-point swing from Damian Penaud in these closing stages. Game winner.
Ntamack fails to convert.
Italy 14-25 France, 80 minutes
The clock ticks into the red, and France have the ball back as Italy knock on.
A battling win for France against a spirited Italy. The hosts had their chances, most notably when Marco Zanon fumbled late on with a heroic tackle from Damian Penaud, and the margin of victory was extended further by the French winger as he sprinted over after excellent work from Romain Ntamack.
In the end the score doesn't reflect how close Italy were to victory, and how they may rue their missed opportunities from the tee, two poor Tommaso Allan kicks and a string of curious kicks to the corner in the first half ultimately costing them.
Jacques Brunel preserves his job, and the experience will do the young French side good. Both sides can now look towards the World Cup.
And that may well be farewell to Sergio Parisse on the Six Nations stage.
A great player and a great man, and the tournament will sorely miss him if it is indeed the end.
We now switch our attentions to Cardiff as the fast and furious day of rugby intensifies.
We've ticked past the 15 minutes to go mark and the atmosphere is building superbly at the Principality Stadium.
↵Warren Gatland named an unchanged team earlier in the week as his Wales side seek a victory to seal their Grand Slam.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments