Ireland vs England LIVE: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction as Ireland seal grand slam after red card

Bundee Aki takes down the kick off. Irelnad employ James Lowe’s great left boot for their first clearing job, the wing kicking long to Freddie Steward. The England full back returns in kind, Lowe claiming a mark inside his 22.

Here goes it: Ireland are 80 minutes away from a fourth Grand Slam, with the chance to secure their clean sweep in Dublin for the first time on St Patrick’s weekend. It is set up perfectly for Andy Farrell’s side - can England gatecrash the party?

Owen Farrell will kick things off. Here we go!

England’s players look a little angry as they sing “God Save the King”, clearly ready to give it their best shot and put right a rather meek showing against France.

The Aviva Stadium crowd lifts the volume ahead of the two Irish anthems. Not an empty seat in the place for what could be a famous Irish evening.

Johnny Sexton also does his pre-match duties for the final time as Ireland skipper in the Six Nations. A Grand Slam sign-off really would be the perfect farewell.

Owen Farrell waits next to the red matting for Irish President Michael D Higgins, who shakes the England captain’s hand with a warm grin. Farrell Jr. takes the dignitaries along the English line, introducing them to his squad. Maro Itoje sways left and right, keeping the energy high and his legs moving.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (RSA)

ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZL) & Pierre Brousset (FRA)

TMO: Marius Jonker (RSA)

The two sets of players make their way out past the Triple Crown, the other prize that Ireland can secure this evening. It looks glorious in Dublin after some morning rain, the skies blue and the sun just starting to dip.

Owen Farrell tests his hips in the tunnel, limbering up. The England captain had been an injury doubt in midweek but declared himself fully fit to play yesterday, ready to charge up a wounded side for a chance to spoil the Irish party.

Josh van der Flier will lead Ireland out as he wins his 50th cap - the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year receives the Aviva Stadium’s roar as he exits the tunnel.

England captain Owen Farrell admits his mother Colleen is stuck in an unenviable position as he attempts to deny father Andy Grand Slam glory with Ireland.

The personal circumstances of the Farrell family is a major subplot going into Saturday’s sold-out Dublin showdown, with the hosts odds-on favourites to complete a Guinness Six Nations clean sweep.

Fly-half Farrell is out to spoil the St Patrick’s weekend party at the Aviva Stadium after being recalled by Steve Borthwick, having begun last weekend’s 53-10 thrashing by France on the bench.

The 31-year-old insists it will be business as usual for him and his dad but concedes it is a tricky situation for relatives caught in the middle.

“It’s not weird for us two,” he said. “It’s probably a bit more weird for the family that’s supporting, especially my mum.

“She says she doesn’t know what she wants to happen. It’s probably a bit tough for her – well, I know it is.

“But in terms of us, we’re just doing our job. He’s not out there on the field, it’s not direct competition.

“We’ve been doing it for a long time now. It’s not the first time we’ve done it.”

Joe Biden is a long-standing fan of Irish rugby, with Rob and Dave Kearney distant cousins of the 46^th US President. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been at the White House over the last couple of days as part of a number of events to mark St Patrick’s Day, with the elder Kearney brother in attendance too to receive Biden’s well wishes for an Irish Grand Slam.