Ireland win Six Nations title on points difference from England & Wales
Ireland's points difference six better than England's
England 55-35 France FT
Scotland 10-40 Ireland FT
Italy 20-61 Wales FT
Gavin Hastings
Former Scotland full-back on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
"I think this is the right decision from Ireland. They cannot afford to turn down opportunities to keep the scoreboard ticking over."
... indeed he does, Sexton's penalty means Ireland are behind Wales on points difference... although Wales' superior try scoring record gives them the edge should the Irish end level on points difference with tmem.
Best to O'Connell, here comes Heaslip, five metres short of the Scotland line. O'Mahoney almost through but the Scotland defence is rugged. It's a penalty to Ireland, not rolling away, and this time Sexton will pump over the points...
Righto, we're under way again, Sexton it is with the restart. Ireland, I should iterate, are chasing their first back-to back outright championship win since 1949. And it's Ireland who start with more devil in the second half, although Hogg eventually clears. But it's straight to Kearney and Ireland win a penalty, Denton not releasing... Sexton kicks for the corner...
John Lambert: Think Ireland may run out of steam. If Scotland were more clinical they could easily be ahead in this game.
Ryan: Ireland need to keep possession. They are giving Scotland far too many opportunities. Come on step up the pressure!
Neil Hughes: Re: David Denton's barnet . . . thinking more like Martin Fry from ABC. (He's the one on the left.)
Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One
"Scotland have created a lot, like they have done throughout the Six Nations, but have not got over the whitewash. Ireland stated with the intent to score points and it has been a good first half for them."
Image source, Will BoyleWill Boyle: Divided loyalties for today but some day for it.
Let us know if you've got split Six Nations loyalties today. Send us a photo if you can.
Image source, Sophie GayterSophie Gayter: Daniel McManus and I probably won't see eye to eye today.
Image source, Claire MacartneyClaire Macartney: Split loyalties here! Although my heart lies with Ireland...
Keith Wood
Former Ireland hooker on BBC One
"Ireland started really well and it looked like they would try to do it all in the first five or 10 minutes. They were attacking from the 22 - we've not seen that in this season's Six Nations. Ireland's accuracy in the first 15 minutes was excellent - but then it drifted."
That's your lot, Ireland have given themselves every chance but they're still 10 points behind Wales. And Scotland don't look like they'll be lying down after the break.
BBC Wales' Nick Webb in Rome:, external Italy coach Jacques Brunel says there is no explanation for his side's second half and they need to investigate!
Russell with a neat inside flip to Scott, before Hogg seizes the loose ball and touches down, but it was a Scotland knock-on. Sexton with a long boot down field but he doesn't find touch. Hogg returns, Kearney returns, Russell with the cute chip to Scott, but the Edinburgh centre loses the ball attempting to offload. Ireland prop Mike Ross has taken a knock and is receiving treatment.
Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Twickenham
"Confusion and boozy chaos at Twickenham - the instinct is entirely against England's supporters celebrating Scottish tries, the calculator is all for it. Would Twickenham Man prefer Wales or Ireland to be Six Nations champions if England can't be? Tweed-capped heads may explode."
Bennett skips down the left wing, yards made. But it's an Ireland scrum, Rory Best doing the unglamorous work down on the deck. Kearney clears, into touch...
Image source, @EnglandRugbyEngland Rugby:, external Dylan Hartley strides on to the team bus; England are en route to Twickenham.
Ireland penalty, straight from the kick-off, and Sexton nails it to make it four out of four today. The Six Nations title once again hoves into view for the Irish.
Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One
Image source, PA"If there was a reminder needed that Ireland still have to win this game first, then here it is. They can't afford to let complacency slip in. Any lapse of concentration from the Irish and Scotland are in."