Ireland vs England LIVE: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction as Ireland seal grand slam after red card
Ireland 29-16 England: Freddie Steward’s controversial red card helped change the game as Ireland completed a deserved 2023 Six Nations grand slam in Dublin
Ireland completed just their fourth-ever Six Nations grand slam with a 29-16 victory over England at the Aviva Stadium, emphatically underlining their status as the world’s top-ranked team heading into September’s World Cup.
None of Ireland’s three previous clean sweeps had been completed in Dublin but this victory over their fiercest rivals was the sweetest way to seal a deserved grand slam on St Patrick’s Day weekend.
There was controversy late in the first half when England full back Freddie Steward was sent off for a dangerous hit on Hugo Keenan despite bracing for impact and turning away from his opposite number, with contact appearing accidental. The harsh call prompted a mountain of reaction on Twitter, including from England cricket captain Ben Stokes.
However, Ireland were still good value for their victory, as Dan Sheehan scored two tries, with Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring also dotting down, to fulfil Irish dreams.
Relive the action from the Aviva Stadium below:
France 34-21 Wales, 73 minutes
Just a little spice to proceedings now, with a few off-ball collisions and hefty contacts around the ruck bringing the crowd into the contest. Romain Ntamack topples over a grounded Louis Rees-Zammit as he takes impressively in the air, but the Wales full back’s challenge was legal.
Rees-Zammit provides speedy cover to ensure Thomas Ramos’ kick in behind is not first grounded by French hands. Goalline drop out.
France 34-21 Wales, 71 minutes
Dan Biggar claims a high bomb superbly up above Romain Ntamack, but he limps away after falling awkwardly in an Antoine Dupont tackle. The fly-half will soldier on, hoping to run it off.
Wales have stayed in the fight in the second half, with Tomos Williams crossing for their third try:
France 34-21 Wales, 69 minutes
That’s more like France! Damian Penaud canters through a great gaping space in the Welsh kick chase, George North exposed by a lack of inside support. Penaud ignores two better options in support to throw a pass wider to Ethan Dumortier.
Penaud is clattered into by Gareth Thomas, staying down to try and draw a penalty from the officials. France turn the ball over and Penaud is back on his feet appealing, but TMO Joy Neville clears Thomas contact, perhaps right in feeling that the wing had milked it slightly.
TRY! France 34-21 WALES (Tomos Williams try, 66 minutes)
Now then!
This has been very, very good from Wales in the last ten minutes when they might have simply folded. Tomos Williams has added plenty since his introduction at scrum-half, twice involved in this passage to eventually capitalise on space to score.
A pre-called play sees Justin Tipuric lurk on the left after the Welsh lineout drive as the rest of the forwards attack infield. Williams finds the flanker with a wide pass, with Tipuric chopped down about two metres short.
Two more punchy carries create enough room for the livewire nine to snipe in. Dan Biggar converts.
France 34-14 Wales, 65 minutes
Dillon Lewis, perhaps riled by his man-handling by Sipili Falatea, shows his scrummaging skill, bending back Reda Wardi to earn a penalty.
France 34-14 Wales, 63 minutes
Cap number one hundred ends just after the hour mark for Taulupe Faletau, taking the applause of the Welsh fans in Paris as Tommy Reffell steps in to the back row. Aaron Wainwright will move to number eight, taking his place at the back of a scrum after Mauvaka’s lineout throw sails off-line.
France 34-14 Wales, 62 minutes
Stern French defence! Wales’ forwards try gamely to bash between the burly bodies but get little joy. Sipili Falatea delivers a licking to Dillon Lewis before fellow front-row replacement Peato Mauvaka wins a turnover penalty, perhaps aided by a delayed exit from the contact area from tackler Charles Ollivon.
France 34-14 Wales, 60 minutes
Tomos Williams tries to dart away from the base of the scrum but can’t force a pass past Antoine Dupont, who knocks on as he tackles his scrum-half counterpart. Wales will reset, two metres further back and to the left of the last engagement.
France 34-14 Wales, 59 minutes
Where England faded last week, Wales have stirred. Dillon Lewis is on for his 50th cap at tighthead but it is the backs leading the way, high hoists from Tomos Williams and then Dan Biggar reclaimed.
Williams kicks again with the French backfield under-occupied. Ethan Dumortier is forced back over his own line - Wales will feed a five-metre scrum.
TRY! France 34-14 WALES (Bradley Roberts try, 57 minutes)
Over go the visitors!
Some lovely touches from Dan Biggar after Tipuric’s turnover and France never quite recover. Josh Adams surges into Antoine Dupont and is just about held but Romain Taofifenua can’t stop Bradley Roberts, taking on the rumble and maintaining his momentum to get to the line.
Biggar adds the extra two from the tee.
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