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:
Ireland 10-9 England, 55 minutes
Still Ireland look rattled. An untimely slip from Mack Hansen puts the hosts under pressure. Johnny Sexton skews his clearance away some 30 metres shallower than he would have liked.
Ireland 10-9 England, 54 minutes
Most felt that England’s only hope today was to drag Ireland in to a sloppy, scrappy tussle, and you’d say Steve Borthwick’s side have done precisely that so far. They have little interest in playing more than a couple of phases, kicking early and often in each passage.
Ireland 10-9 England, 52 minutes
Jack Willis has a cut on his head, with the referee calling a halt to proceedings to ensure the flanker is appropriately stitched up before Ireland throw a lineout on the ten-metre line.
They like that play, the hosts, over the top to a retreating Peter O’Mahony with runners either side of the blindside, but it hasn’t quite clicked during the tournament, with O’Mahony unable to take cleanly and thus throwing his pass forward.
PENALTY! Ireland 10-9 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 51 minutes)
The first points of the second half go to 14-man England. Andy Farrell looks on nervously as his son slots his third penalty.
Ireland 10-6 England, 50 minutes
The English eight roar - penalty their way! The visitors had just been told to speed things up after taking their time to set the initial scrum engagement, but get back on the right side of Jaco Peyper as Ireland’s front row are judged to have caused an immediate plummet into the floor.
Ireland 10-6 England, 48 minutes
Ireland are just snatching at this a bit, trying slightly too much around the fringes rather than waiting for spaces to appear. To England’s credit, they have attacked the breakdown smartly today, knowing that Jaco Peyper tends to be lenient around the ruck area and capitalising when they can.
Owen Farrell launches a booming high bomb. Jimmy O’Brien cuts the wrong wire in his defusal attempt - a knock on, and England’s scrum 35 metres out from Ireland’s line.
Ireland 10-6 England, 46 minutes
Watson looks really bright. He’s caught in a bit of a pickle as English turnover ball ends up in his hands with few teammates in support, but the wing beats all three Irish front-rowers to escape the predicament.
Ireland 10-6 England, 45 minutes
Anthony Watson has taken backfield responsibility for England with his Leicester colleague sent off. He claims a mark calmly as Sexton puts too much mustard on his up-and-under.
Ireland 10-6 England, 44 minutes
Peter O’Mahony contests hard at the front of England’s lineout but the visiting forwards hang on to the ball, allowing Jack van Poortvliet to launch a clearance.
Owen Farrell limps away after blocking Johnny Sexton’s attempted grubber into touch. Just a sore one, I think, rather than anything more serious, but one to monitor.
Ireland 10-6 England, 44 minutes
Owen Farrell looks to the air, but England are short of chasers on the right. James Lowe takes and survives Lewis Ludlam’s challenge, freeing Bundee Aki, who sends Jamison Gibson-Park on.
The scrum half scurries free of Ellis Genge, chipping beyond the last defender. His lift skips into touch five metres short of England’s line.
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