MERCI, FRENCHMEN THE ENGLI
Championship done and dusted & now
France
22 16 ENGLAND fell to a second chastening defeat in two matches as Ireland’s bonuspoint win over Scotland secured the Six Nations title.
Eddie Jones’ men needed to beat France and score four tries to keep the championship alive, but they came nowhere close in a
England
largely toothless display.
A game poised at 9-9 at half-time was blown open when Anthony Watson’s high tackle on Benjamin Fall saw the England full-back sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes and a penalty try awarded.
Jonny May’s late try gave them hope of an unlikely win, but France held out.
With one game to go, Jacob Stockdale is already Ireland’s top try scorer in a 6 Nations season. One more, in fact, and he’ll beat the overall record Leaving Lansdowne Road will be a wrench for Ireland, who haven’t lost at home since the All Blacks in November 2016 and not in the 6 Nations since the February 2013 defeat to England In the 6 Nations campaign that preceded Joe Schmidt taking charge, Ireland finished in fifth place. Under the Kiwi they’ve won three titles in five years
James Ryan is stepping up in a big way. Still to lose in a green shirt, the 21-year-old topped the stats charts with 13 tackles and 13 carries on Saturday Johnny Sexton doesn’t hold the exclusive rights on the loop move he’s perfected. Garry Ringrose pulled it off to perfection with Bundee Aki for Stockdale’s first try