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 7-7 Wales, 18 minutes
France try to work Damian Penaud into the line from their lineout launch play, but the hands aren’t quite precise enough, and the wing spills.
Eek - that looks like a slightly dangerous challenge from Gael Fickou, lifting and driving Alun Wyn Jones into the ground. Joy Neville in the TMO truck will be employed again.
France 7-7 Wales, 16 minutes
France try to disassemble that platform by cratering the Welsh scrum. Their first attempt is not rewarded with Nic Berry unhappy with the initial stability on the engage, but Tomas Francis and Wyn Jones are peeled back for a second time, the combined heft of Romain Taofifenua and Atonio too much for the latter to handle.
France 7-7 Wales, 15 minutes
Nope, that’s a fair attempt to grasp the ball from the enormous French tighthead, tapping it back into his brow before it then spills forward. Slightly curiously, Nic Berry still gives Wales a scrum despite having called advantage over for what he had initially deemed a knock on - a perfect attacking platform for the visitors, 20 metres out and dead centre.
France 7-7 Wales, 15 minutes
France attack the breakdown hard, but Wales’ clearers are doing a fine job so far, keeping Julien Marchand and co. off their ball.
Ooh - was that a deliberate knock-on? Uini Atonio’s hand came reaching through, and Nic Berry wants to check it with TMO Joy Neville...
France 7-7 Wales, 14 minutes
France also take their lineout with haste, not wanting Wales to form a potential challenge. Antoine Dupont clears to about his own ten-metre line.
France 7-7 Wales, 13 minutes
Nic Berry ends up sandwiched between the two loosehead props at the front of a hastily taken Welsh lineout, but the Australian referee is happy for the visitors to continue, content he has had no material impact on Cyril Baille’s attempted challenge.
Wales initially make good ground and Rhys Webb lifts a clever box kick into the corner, with France watching it into touch.
TRY! FRANCE 7-7 Wales (Damian Penaud try, 11 minutes)
Stop it! Sensational from France to strike back!
Just delightful from the French half-backs. Romain Ntamack takes a pull-back pass from Thomas Ramos, sashaying away from Nick Tompkins rather easily. Two more dummies allow the fly-half to foxtrot between the Welsh backfield defenders, connecting with his Toulouse teammate Antoine Dupont.
Dupont skips away from a tackler and has the vision to find Damian Penaud on the wide outside. A perfect touchline conversion from Thomas Ramos levels things up.
France 0-7 Wales, 10 minutes
France started at a canter against both Scotland and England so this is a different test for Fabien Galthie’s men. Jonathan Danty is caught high as he tries to explore the outside. Advantage coming...
TRY! France 0-7 WALES (George North try, 8 minutes)
And George North slices through!
What a start from Wales! They constrict the French defence as the maul gets a march on, Ken Owens eventually dragged down illegally a metre short. The advantage prompts a wider pass, Rhys Webb unfurling a loquacious ball that whispers in the faces of the approaching French defence as it flies beyond them into North’s hands. In slides the outside centre untouched, ensuring a simple conversion for Dan Biggar.
France 0-0 Wales, 7 minutes
Wales are shut down as they try to go wider, but only due to an offside French defender. Rhys Webb puts too much loft on his crossfield clip.
Dan Biggar pokes the penalty into the corner. Wales’ third attacking five-metre lineout of the first seven minutes.
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