Women's Six Nations: Champions Ireland complete Grand Slam

Ireland's women completed their first Six Nations Grand Slam by edging out Italy 6-3 in a tense final match in Milan on Sunday.

The Irish trailed to a Veronica Schiavon penalty after three minutes but full-back Niamh Briggs levelled with a penalty 10 minutes later.

Another Briggs penalty in the 51st minute saw Ireland secure victory in very difficult conditions.

Ireland ended four points clear of runners-up France in the table.

The Irish had already secured the championship after winning their first four matches in the championship.

The pitch in Parabiago grew steadily muddier throughout, preventing the visitors from showing the attacking flair which had marked their earlier victories in the series.

Briggs went closest to scoring Ireland's only try after 20 minutes but she knocked the ball over the try-line.

The Irish defence remained resolute throughout, while repeated ruck infringements led to Italy prop Lucia Gai earning a yellow card.

Schaivon was short with a penalty attempt entering the final quarter and a late charge by the Italians failed to yield the points they required.

Ireland: N Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster), N Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster), L Cantwell (Richmond/Exiles), G Davitt (Cooke/Ulster), A Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht), N Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), L Muldoon (UWIC/Exiles), F Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster), G Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), A Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), S Spence (Mowden Park Sharks/Exiles), M Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), S Fleming (Tralee/Munster), C Molloy (Bristol/Exiles), J Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster).

Replacements: S Kennedy (City of Derry/Ulster), F Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster), L Day (Waterloo/Exiles), H O'Brien (Highfield/Munster), L Guest (Highfield/Munster), A Davis (Blackrock College/Ulster), S Huston (Blackrock/Leinster), A Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster).