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As it happenedended

Six Nations LIVE: Ireland win the Grand Slam after beating England 24-15 to seal clean sweep

Follow the latest from the Grand Slam decider at Twickenham

Jack de Menezes
Twickenham
Saturday 17 March 2018 08:30 EDT
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Six Nations Match Preview: England v Ireland

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Ireland will attempt to win only their third Six Nations Grand Slam in their history as they take on England at Twickenham, having already wrapped up the championship with a game to spare.

After losing to both Scotland and France, England could finish as low as fifth if they lose to the Irish, but a victory could yet see them finish second in the table. However, the two defeats mean they are unable to catch Joe Schmidt’s side, and should the Irish seal a famous St Patrick’s Day victory – their first at Twickenham since 2010 – they will secure the Grand Slam to add to their 1948 and 2009 successes.

England head coach Eddie Jones has rung the changes for the clash, with seven new faces and 10 positional changes as Owen Farrell starts at fly-half with George Ford dropped, while Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury and Danny Care are also replaced with Kyle Sinckler, George Kruis and Richard Wigglesworth.

Ireland meanwhile have recalled Iain Henderson in their only change to the side that beat Scotland last week, with Devin Toner dropping to the bench.

Follow the live action below...


Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

What time does it start?

England vs Ireland kicks off at 14:45 GMT.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown live on ITV from 14:25.

Teams

England: Anthony Watson; Jonny May, Jonathan Joseph, Ben Te'o, Elliot Daly; Owen Farrell Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Sam Simmonds.

Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Don Armand, Danny Care, George Ford, Mike Brown.

Ireland: Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Johnny Sexton, Connor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Dan Leavy, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy, Keiron Marmion, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.

Jerusalem rings out around Twickenham as final preparations get underway here. Just minutes to go until the players emerge for what could be one of the game's of the tournament.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:38

And here they come! Lead out by Dylan Hartley and Rory Best, all 82,000 fans inside the stadium make a huge noise for the two teams. Time for the anthems...

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:40

Anthems over and done with, it's show time!

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:42

KICK-OFF: IRELAND GET THE MATCH UNDERWAY!

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:45

1 mins: Ireland settle well and Kearney makes a nice half-break from England's clearing kick. They cough the ball up though and Wigglesworth kicks clear.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:46

3 mins: A few panic stations early on for the champions. Firstly Earls goes down off the ball and allows England to counter down the left, then Daly nudges a nice chip to the Irish 5m line. Pressure on, and Best just about finds a green shirt in Furlong from a messy lineout.

Murray though kicks to touch and Ireland breathe easy again.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:49

5 mins: The first penalty of the game goes against Farrell as he's judged to have hit Kearney late after he kicks away possession. He gets a telling off from referee Angus Gardner, and Sexton kicks to touch just outside the 22.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:50

6 mins: TMO check! Ireland think they've scored here after Watson failed to take a high ball...We're looking back at it...

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:51

6 mins: TRY FOR IRELAND!

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:52

6 mins: Sexton put up a high bomb just outside the 22 that causes Watson all sorts of problems as he backs towards his own line. Kearney competes for the ball and Watson makes a hash of it, with the loose ball allowing Garry Ringrose to dot the ball down and score. Sexton converts and the champions lead 0-7.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 14:55

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