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

(AFP via Getty Images)

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 vs England - live Six Nations updates

• Ireland beat England 29-16 in the final match of the 2023 Six Nations
• Ireland complete an impressive grand slam in Dublin for the first time
• Freddie Steward controversially red-carded for England in the first half
• FULL-TIME! Ireland 29-16 England
• 77’ - TRY! Herring adds the icing by stretching out to score (IRE 29-16 ENG)
• 73’ - TRY! George forces way over from a maul to give England deserved try (IRE 24-16 ENG)
• 69’ - TRY! Great hands by Conan allows Sheehan to touch down (IRE 24-9 ENG)
• 62’ - TRY! Henshaw goes over from Aki’s pass (IRE 17-9 ENG)
• 51’ - PENALTY! Farrell close the gap to a single point for 14-man England (IRE 10-9 ENG)
• 40’ - RED CARD! Steward shown controversial red after making contact with Keenan’s head (IRE 10-6 ENG)
• 33’ - TRY! Sheehan runs a great line on to Van der Flier’s inside pass (IRE 10-6 ENG)
• ‘Shambles, shambles, shambles’: Ben Stokes and others react to controversial Freddie Steward red card
• France down Wales 41-28 to put themselves in position to nick the title if Ireland slip up
• Scotland beat Italy 26-14 in a thriller to kick off Super Saturday

[18 March 2023 17:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-3 England, 13 minutes

Ireland use the goalline drop out play that worked so beautifully against France, but Hugo Keenan can’t take Tadhg Furlong’s inside ball.

[18 March 2023 17:14 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-3 England, 12 minutes

They were! Jaco Peyper confers with his TMO Marius Jonker, and is content that Maro Itoje was onside before rushing forward, with the lock putting Owen Farrell onside before the fly-half chimed in which his support. The pair combine with Alex Dombrandt to turtle Sexton, holding him up - just a goalline drop out.

[18 March 2023 17:12 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-3 England, 11 minutes

Nearly through! Ireland vary their attacking play and it is nearly deadly, Josh van der Flier first on the inside ball making a half-break, and then James Lowe likewise as the backs work the hands.

Ireland lose control of the ball but England infringe on the floor. Tapped quickly - Johnny Sexton takes England by surprise and I’m not sure the tackler was back ten...

[18 March 2023 17:11 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-3 England, 10 minutes

Johnny Sexton does not fancy testing his range from just short of halfway - the Ireland fly-half kicks for touch on the 22, from where Ireland can attack.

[18 March 2023 17:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-3 England, 9 minutes

Johnny Sexton kicks long to Alex Dombrandt in the left corner, with England’s number eight handled by the Irish chasers. Hugo Keenan takes a long English clearance and steps past one tackler.

Into an extended kicking exchange. Ah, that’s a little naive from Henry Arundell, torn between a kick and his natural attacking instinct, and allowing Irish limbs to wrap around his ankles and then the ball - penalty to Ireland for holding on.

[18 March 2023 17:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! Ireland 0-3 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 8 minutes)

Owen Farrell’s leg appears to be in full working order - a simple one to start for the England fly-half, struck powerfully from inside the Ireland 22 and level with the left upright.

[18 March 2023 17:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-0 England, 6 minutes

Good contiunity from England, up into double figures in the phase count, though not looking truly threatening. Ellis Genge wins the gainline and earns a penalty as an Irish tackler fails to vacate the space.

Freddie Steward fades on a pass and strides to the outside, but can’t connect with Henry Arundell, who won that initial turnover. Back for the penalty and a first chance of points.

[18 March 2023 17:05 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-0 England, 4 minutes

That’s less pretty at lineout time from the hosts - Dan Sheehan throws in but there is no-one lifted to take his second dart. It skews into English hands and again Ireland are turned.

Stolen again! More ruck joy for English pilferers and they can attack in the Irish half for the first time.

[18 March 2023 17:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-0 England, 3 minutes

Dan Sheehan’s first toss is safely secured, and the Irish attack sets to work. England are electing not to contest the breakdown, standing off, keeping as many defenders on their feet as possible.

Now they do jackal - brilliant turnover from Jack Willis. Owen Farrell kicks long and Ireland will have to go again from deep.

But Maro Itoje infringes.

[18 March 2023 17:02 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-0 England, 2 minutes

A tackle in the air from Owen Farrell, Jamison Gibson-Park bumped with a limited use of the arms from the England skipper. Just a penalty. Johnny Sexton kicks into England’s half.