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As it happenedended1552754840

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

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 16 March 2019 17:26 GMT
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Wales v Ireland: Six Nations match preview

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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.

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Italy 9-17 France, 52 minutes

Another Italian error hands the ball back to France, however, though they reset defensively well.

Marco Zanon latches on to Maxime Medard's chest and drives the full-back towards touch with support from a couple of teammates giving him the extra push required to drive Medard over the line.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:46
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Italy 9-17 France, 53 minutes

Strong carries from two of Italy's back row, Braam Steyn first making good ground and then Sergio Parisse bowling over Romain Ntamack.

Some momentum to the Italian attack, and they have the advantage...

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:47
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Italy 9-17 France, 54 minutes

Angelo esposito comes searching from his left win and is somehow repelled on the hard angle two metres out.

One more carry...

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:47
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TRY! Italy 14-17 France, (Tito Tebaldi, 55 minutes)

And Tito Tebaldi dummies and goes over!

The big heave-ho to his left sends the close-in defenders in the wrong direction and Tebaldi powers through the final defender to extend the ball over the line for a deserved score.

Tommaso Allan fails to find the conversion. How costly could these misses be...

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:48
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Baptiste Serin replaces Antoine Dupont at scrum-half for France.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:50
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Italy 14-17 France, 58 minutes

France respond with their powerful carriers, and then take the territory with a dribbled kick into the corner.

Leonardo Ghiraldini is in real bother after an off-ball collision with replacement Serin. This could be the last time we see the experience hooker in Six Nations action, and he might be leaving on a stretcher.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:52
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It's not a minor issue. Ghiraldini is in serious pain, and it's the type of injury that could jeopardise his World Cup participation, and for a player of Ghiraldini's age maybe even end a career.

On to the stretcher. A heart-wrenched for the Italian fans as a great servant leaves the Stadio Olimpico pitch. A standing ovation from all inside the ground, including the players.

Luca Bigi replaces him, while France introduce Arthur Iturria in the back row. A solid first start for Gregory Alldritt.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:54
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Italy 14-17 France, 58 minutes

Italy claim the line out and clear from the back of the resulting maul to their own ten-metre.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:55
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Italy 14-17 France, 59 minutes

The vastly experienced Alessandro Zanni comes into the second row, David Sisi applauded off after a good shift. 

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:56
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Italy 14-17 France, 60 minutes

A powerful carry from Jake Polledri gets Italy over the mainline, but a couple of juggles somewhat stagnate the momentum of the attack, which is a touch lateral, anyway.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 13:58

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