Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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
Comments
Six Nations Match Preview: England v Ireland

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

39 mins: England twice are pinged for early engagements against Sinckler and Ireland are gifted a penalty, although from the replays I have to say I don't know what game Gardner is watching there. He then awards another penalty at the lineout for Itoje tackling the jumper, and it's gifting Ireland easy yards.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 15:35

40 mins: Ireland might have scored another here...another TMO check!

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 15:37

40 mins: TRY FOR IRELAND!

Kearney pops the ball to Jacob Stockdale, and he chips ahead. the ball ricochets off the Irish wing's leg, and he dives to ground the ball before the deadball line!

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 15:39

Half-time: A hammer blow for England that. Just when it looked like they were getting back into the game, they go and concede a third try to a team that has 14 men out there. That said, it was an excellent finish from Stockdale, and sums up how good Ireland have been so far.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 15:41

Half-time: Here come the two teams for the second half! England have an awful lot of work to do to get back into this, while Ireland are back up to 15 with O'Mahony on and Sexton back from his HIA.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 15:54

41 mins: ENGLAND KICK-OFF AND THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY!

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 15:55

41 mins: May carries from deep and charges into Furlong - which I wouldn't advise to anyone - but holds up well against the prop. That allows Farrell to chip over the defence and find touch in Ireland's 22.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 15:57

44 mins: England attack hard with Sinckler and Haskell carrying well, but as they go wide left to Daly, Earls produces a brilliant tap tackle to trip him up and stop him from what looked a try-scoring chance. Kearney then bundles him into touch and Ireland have a 5m lineout to defend, which they do well and kick away.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 16:00

47 min: 15, 16, 17, England are rolling through the phases as they seek a try, but on the 18th try assistant referee Jaco Peyper calls for a TMO check and Gardner obliges, with Daly accused of a dangerous clearout on Kearney and the penalty goes against England.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 16:04

49 mins: May comes flying through the air to claim a high kick, and he lands on Stockdale who takes a whack for his efforts. He receives treatment for a blow to his ribs, but he'll be good to continue and we'll restart with a scrum following an English knock on.

Jack de Menezes17 March 2018 16:08

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in