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
The players are back out on the Stadio Olimpico pitch.
The second half begins. No changes at half-time.
Italy 6-10 France, 41 minutes
A real shot pheasant of a kick from Antoine Dupont fails to get France away from their own territory, and Italy will attack in the visitors' half.
Andrea Lovotti has the ball slapped from his grip by Yacouba Camara and France concede a penalty at the next ruck.
Tommaso Allan will go for goal. A half-time edict from Conor O'Shea?
PENALTY! Italy 9-10 France (Tommaso Allan penalty, 43 minutes)
Another strong strike, a little bit of fade as it flies between the uprights.
Italy 9-10 France, 44 minutes
France's line out has been rather shoddy this afternoon, and Italy kick-off another game of kick tennis after Braam Steyn steals the latest misfire.
Jayden Hayward tries to pin France deep inside their territory with a banana kick, but misjudges it by fifteen metres.
Italy 9-10 France, 45 minutes
France give Mathieu Bastareaud another carry from the line out, but Antoine Dupont fires his next pass into Matthew Carley, ending the movement. French scrum.
Italy speed things along with Simone Ferrari joining proceedings from the bench. Tiziano Pasquali trots off.
TRY! Italy 9-17 France (Yoann Huget, 46 minutes)
Two lovely touches from Romain Ntamack and Yoann Huget is in for the try!
From the scrum Ntamack steps twice off his left past a pair of Italian tacklers, and though his offload finds the grass, Felix Lambey collects and France earn quick ball.
Ntamack spins the ball wide with a loquacious pass of real quality to Maxime Medard, who draws and passes in the two-on-one situation to tee up his Toulouse teammate to sprint home and score.
Ntamack converts.
Italy 9-17 France, 48 minutes
France are again penalised, this time for offside as Italy respond well to conceding.
Tommaso Allan will look for a fourth penalty goal.
Italy 9-17 France, 49 minutes
Atrocious.
One of the worst misses you'll see. Bang in front, and Allan has pulled right across it, somehow managing to kick it perfectly straight a couple of metres past the left-hand upright.
Peculiar. He'd kicked beautifully up until that effort.
Italy 9-17 France, 51 minutes
The Italian national anthem is sung by the crowd as the band tries to lift the home side.
And Tito Tebaldi responds! A gap opens as Mathieu Bastareaud is told to vacate the ruck and Tebaldi burst through the centre of the ruck. Italy to the French 22.
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