Championship secured, now onto the Grand Slam…
In the end, it was too little, too late for England as they finally battled back against France in the closing stages of their crucial Six Nations clash, only for the French to peg them right back.
It finished 22 – 16 at the Stade de France, but it’s a scoreline that somewhat flatters an England side that didn’t step up as they might have been expected to following Ireland’s thrilling and decisive victory over Scotland earlier on Saturday afternoon.
All of which means that Ireland are now, officially, YOUR Six Nations champions.
The result marks Joe Schmidt’s third Six Nations title in just five years.
His men will secure the Grand Slam should they triumph over England at Twickenham next weekend.
“We’re excited, for sure, to get to Twickenham,” said a typically cool Schmidt on RTÉ after the championship was confirmed. “You don’t get that chance very often,” he added.
Social media, naturally enough, was full of well wishes and general merriment directed at the Irish team:
🏆 Congratulations @IrishRugby, 2018 #NatWest6Nations champions! 🏆
A shot at the Grand Slam awaits… pic.twitter.com/Jo0QXg3hXB
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 10, 2018
Great achievement by @IrishRugby to win a @SixNationsRugby title. Championship celebrations tonight, #GrandSlam talk from tomorrow onwards #rterugby
— Michael Glennon (@MicilGlennon) March 10, 2018
Ireland are 6 Nations Champions. Muted celebrations at the Aviva… pic.twitter.com/Dnx19dSspf
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) March 10, 2018
🍀🍀🍀YES IRELAND!🍀🍀🍀
Championship…in the bag 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼
Grand Slam…on the cards🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻Literally cannot wait for next week!
Super stuff @irishrugby – well done to all the lads! #6Nations2018 #Ireland #Winners #COYBIG— Hudson Taylor (@HudsonTaylor) March 10, 2018
📸 À un match de la fin, l'Irlande remporte le Tournoi des #6Nations2018 après sa victoire sur l'Écosse et la défaite de l'Angleterre face à la France 👏 pic.twitter.com/aFtB2gKMco
— Rugby World Cup FR 🇫🇷 (@RugbyWorldCupFR) March 10, 2018
Congratulations Ireland! Now, bring on St. Patrick’s Day…
