ROSE CROWNS A SUPERB DAY

IT’S been Ireland’s 6 Nations centre of attrition but the midfield conveyor belt has still delivered.

On Saturday, Garry Ringrose was Bundee Aki’s third centre partner in four championship games, after injuries to Robbie Henshaw and Chris Farrell.

It was only Ringrose’s seventh game of the season after shoulder and ankle surgery.

“I tried not to get too concerned,” admitted the 23-year-old.

“Thankfully, I got a good few training minutes under my belt and was in [camp] before that too, that gave me confidence.

“I was sucking diesel a couple of times but Bundee makes my job that bit easier.”

Aki, in his first 6 Nations, had previously played alongside Henshaw at Connacht and had clicked with Farrell in November.

This was his first time alongside Ringrose – and with so much at stake.

“I was a bit nervous filling in for Chris and Robbie, with how good they’d been,” Ringrose said.

“But it was just about getting my role right.

“Talking to Bundee beforehand, it was about backing each other up – if I was beaten, how he covered me and vice versa.

“You could feel out there how hard we were working for each other.”

Ringrose is grateful to Schmidt for his swift Test return having not aimed to be involved at the business end of the championship.

“It’s pretty special to have that trust,” he said. “I’m well aware that I’m lucky. Chris and Robbie have both been world-class, so if it wasn’t for the injuries I probably wouldn’t be here.

“I knew myself it was about getting my role right.

“I know the calls and was able to hit the ground running.”

Ringrose has never even been to Twickenham – now he’ll start there with a first 6 Nations title secured and a Grand Slam on the line.

The last time Ireland achieved the Slam he was in second year in school.

“It would be pretty special,” Ringrose said.

“I’m trying not to get too distracted about what’s at stake and focus on what’s in our control.

“It would be pretty special to play at a stadium with 80-odd thousand people.

“It would be amazing to be part of something like that.”