Ireland are the 2018 Six Nations champions.
When England walked out onto the pitch at Stade de France, they knew a win wouldn’t be enough. Ireland’s bonus points victory over Scotland in the earlier fixture meant that required four tries and a victory to stay in the championship.
England were oddly drawn into trading penalties with the French. Owen Farrell and Maxime Machenaud had three penalties apiece by half-time to leave it at 9-9 . It meant England still had the huge task of bagging four tries in 40 minutes. Instead, it was the French that got the first try.
Fittingly, it was a penalty try after Anthony Watson was yellow carded for a high tackle out wide.
Here's how England lost control of the 2018 #NatWest6Nations Championships.#TV3Rugby #FRAvENG pic.twitter.com/3xZPAiwb7v
— Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) March 10, 2018
That elusive try was eventually scored, but it came far too late. When Jonny May put the ball down over the line and Owen Farrell nailed the conversion, the result was already pretty much sealed.
A late penalty gave Les Bleus some breathing room. It finished 22-6 to the home side meaning Ireland won the championship a week before the end.
However, after suffering back-to-back losses, England will be dangerous on Paddy’s Day. They won’t want to lose three on the bounce. If the Grand Slam is won, it will have to be earned.
