England have been crowned the 2020 Guinness Six Nations champions after Ireland's disappointing 35-27 defeat to France in Paris.
Eddie Jones' men beat Italy 34-5 in Rome, meaning a six-point win for Ireland at the Stade de France later on Saturday would be enough to seal the championship in Andy Farrell's first season as head coach.
England arrived in Rome 23 points behind Ireland on points difference and laboured somewhat against the Italians at Stadio Olimpico.
Tries from Ben Youngs (two), Jamie George, Tom Curry and Henry Slade secured a comfortable win, but left a glimmer f hope for Ireland in the French capital.
Les Bleus made the perfect start, with Antoine Dupont crossing the whitewash for the game's first try in the sixth minute. Gael Fickou set Dupont up on the left wing after some hesitant Irish defending under a high ball.
Romain Ntamack to make it 7-0 before Anthony Bouthier was shown a yellow card in the ninth minute for slapping the ball out of play.
The referee neglected to award a penalty try for the infringement, much to Hugo Keenan and Ireland's bemusement.
Cian Healy, making his 100th international appearance, crossed for Ireland's first try in the 18th minute, barreling over from close range to the right of the posts.
Jonathan Sexton converted, and gave Ireland the lead with a 25th-minute penalty.
Ireland were dealt a major blow five minutes later when France were awarded a penalty try and Caelan Doris was sent to the sin bin for illegally preventing Francois Cros from touching down.
Jacob Stockdale, who endured a torrid evening, had failed to deal with an awkward kick in the buildup.
https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/status/1322658601853476864
Sexton and Ntamack then traded penalties before the break, as France entered the interval with a 17-13 lead in wet conditions.
Ntamack shone in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, scoring a try and adding two penalties to extend France's lead to 28-13.
Robbie Henshaw gave Ireland the faintest glimmer of hope with a brilliant individual try on the hour mark, driving past multiple French defenders and diving over the whitewash.
Sexton converted to reduce the deficit to eight points with 20 minutes remaining.
Virimi Vakatawa scored France's fourth try in the 71st minute, bagging Les Bleus a bonus point and ending Ireland's hopes of pipping England to the title. Ntamack converted.
Stockdale scored a consolation try for the visitors in the dying seconds, which substitute Ross Byrne converted.
The combination of results sees France finish second in the table behind England, with Ireland forced to settle for third place ahead of Wales on points difference.
https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/1322804016066269184
The Season Ticket is now accepting donations. For the one-off cost of a coffee or pint, you can help us to expand our audience and content offering.
留言