Summary

  • Ireland secure Six Nations title and fourth Grand Slam with emphatic win

  • Captain Johnny Sexton lifts trophy in final Six Nations game

  • Robbie Henshaw, Sheehan and Rob Herring score in second half

  • England's Freddie Steward sent off on stroke of half-time for dangerous tackle

  • Hooker Dan Sheehan gives Ireland narrow lead in tight first half

  • Jamie George goes over for England for consolation try

  • England finish fourth in standings with two wins from five

  1. Team newspublished at 16:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2023

    Ireland v England (17:00 GMT)

    In case you missed the team news during the week, here's a reminder of how both sides line up...

    Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Baird, Ryan; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

    Replacements: Herring, Healy, O'Toole, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, R Byrne, O'Brien.

    England: Steward; Watson, Slade, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (c), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Ribbans, Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.

    Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Mitchell, Smith, Marchant.

  2. 'It will be a special day'published at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2023

    Ireland v England (17:00 GMT)

    Media caption,

    'Emotional' Sexton prepares for Six Nations swansong

  3. Top 10 Six Nations points scorerspublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2023

    Ireland v England (17:00 GMT)

    Jonny SextonImage source, PA Media

    Ronan O'Gara (Ireland) 557

    Johnny Sexton (Ireland) 557

    Jonny Wilkinson (England) 546

    Owen Farrell (England) 517

    Stephen Jones (Wales) 467

    Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) 422

    Neil Jenkins (Wales) 406

    Chris Paterson (Scotland) 381

    Gavin Hastings (Scotland) 288

    David Humphreys (Ireland) 270

  4. The Sexton swansong?published at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2023

    Ireland v England (17:00 GMT)

    The stage is set for one man...

    Today is set to mark the end for one of Ireland's all-time greats in the Six Nations.

    Johnny Sexton will call time on his involvement in the competition after the full-time whistle, but he needs just one point to overtake compatriot Ronan O'Gara as the tournament's all-time record points scorer.

    You couldn't script it!

    Sexton
  5. 'Stage set for historic Irish triumph'published at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2023

    Ireland v England (17:00 GMT)

    Matt Gault
    BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

    Johnny Sexton and Andy Farrell during Ireland's captain's run on FridayImage source, Getty Images

    Dublin. A sold-out Aviva Stadium. St Patrick's Day weekend. Facing England. Johnny Sexton's last Six Nations dance. Grand Slam on the line.

    The stage is set for what could be one of Irish rugby's greatest days. Now it's time for the team to deliver one more big performance.

    Even as early as 1.30pm, Lansdowne Road was awash with green, with the atmosphere to the Six Nations climax building steadily on a dreary Dublin afternoon.

    Ireland have never won a Grand Slam in Dublin. The prospect of finally achieving that has created an enormous swell of expectation, which is why head coach Andy Farrell has instructed the Irish players to manage the "circus" that comes with a shot at a Slam.

    England have had a circus of their own to deal with after their record 53-10 mauling to France.

    So make no mistake. Steve Borthwick's side are in Dublin today to restore pride and spoil the party.

    Last year, England couldn't stop France from completing the clean sweep in Paris. Will they have better luck in trying to halt this almighty green juggernaut? Not many are giving them a chance, but time will tell.

  6. The last hurrah!published at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2023

    Ireland v England (17:00 GMT)

    Grand Slam fever has reached Dublin on St Patrick's weekend...

    IrelandImage source, Getty Images

    The wounded English plan on spoiling the party...

    GengeImage source, Getty Images

    The 2023 Six Nations is set for a thrilling finale.

    Ireland are chasing the clean sweep but England will want to restore some pride after last weekend's humiliating defeat by France.

    Kick off is just an hour away...