Ireland 29-16 England: Hosts claim historic Six Nations Grand Slam in Dublin after Freddie Steward red card

Ireland created history by sealing a Six Nations Grand Slam in Dublin after victory over England

Ireland claimed a historic first Six Nations Grand Slam in Dublin, and fourth ever, courtesy of a 29-16 victory over England at a fervent Aviva Stadium, after the visitors lost full-back Freddie Steward to a first half red card.

Ireland's first Grand Slam success came in Belfast in 1948, while their 2009 (Cardiff) and 2018 (Twickenham) triumphs were both won away from home, but tries from hooker Dan Sheehan (two), centre Robbie Henshaw and replacement Rob Herring confirmed a title-winning success in the Irish capital.

Skipper Johnny Sexton also added nine points with the boot in his final Six Nations Test, becoming the all-time leading points scorer in the championship in the process.

• France claim bonus-point win vs Wales
• Scotland survive Italy scare to win
• Ireland 29-16 England: As it happened

Johnny Sexton led Ireland to Grand Slam success in the final Six Nations Test of his career

England skipper Owen Farrell had kicked his side into a 6-0 lead, while the visiting defence proved strong for most of the first half before Sheehan broke through to score.

Steward was then sent off by South African referee Jaco Peyper with Ireland 10-6 ahead for making head contact with opposite number Hugo Keenan in a harsh decision, with the England man turning away and bracing for contact after a forward pass and loose ball more than seeking to initiate a forceful act.

In Peyper's defence, Keenan would not return for the second half such was the ferocity of the impact to his head, and despite the hosts putting in a nervy performance on the whole, nothing could sour Ireland's day after a marvellous championship clean sweep for Andy Farrell's squad.

Owen Farrell kicked England into an early 6-0 lead with two penalties

Farrell had kicked the visitors 6-0 ahead by the 15th minute before Sexton kicked Ireland onto the scoreboard with a penalty from 37 metres out after England prop Kyle Sinckler was penalised at the breakdown - passing compatriot Ronan O'Gara as the record Six Nations points scorer of all time in doing so, prompting a standing ovation.

Sexton converted a penalty against England to become the all-time Six Nations points scorer

Another unnecessary penalty - Ellis Genge taking a player out off the ball - handed Ireland a chance to attack in the 22, and they took ruthless advantage as the outstanding Sheehan stormed through off a superbly disguised Josh van der Flier inside ball, skittling England defenders on his way to grounding.

Dan Sheehan romped through to score a nervy Ireland's first try

Sexton converted with aplomb for a 10-6 lead, before superb defence saw Arundell wrapped up into a choke tackle maul and turnover to stop England's final foray of the half.

There remained time for a massively significant moment, though, as foul play by Steward - taking out Keenan with a tucked arm, and connecting with the Ireland full-back's head after the latter looked to regather a bouncing ball - resulted in a red card as Peyper confirmed he could find no mitigation.

Hugo Keenan was hit in the head by Freddie Steward in an incident very late in the first half

Referee Jaco Peyper produced a red card to Steward for the collision

Ireland couldn't take advantage before the break, as Baird knocked on, and the start of the second half proved no more fruitful, with Farrell next to score points off the tee after another scrum decision went England's way, reducing the gap to a single point.

As tension built around the stadium, Sexton next shanked off the park as the Test drifted towards the hour mark, and though Gibson-Park and Jack Conan defended the maul brilliantly, the home scrum continued to be on the wrong side of Peyper, as England forced another penalty to march down the pitch again.

A superb Baird breakdown penalty allowed Ireland to clear, though, and after Sexton executed a stunning tactical kick towards the corner, Anthony Watson was forced back over his own try-line to earn Ireland a five-metre scrum to launch from.

In the ensuing attack, Ireland finally clicked into ruthless gear in the 62nd minute as the returning Henshaw leapt over for their crucial second try off a Bundee Aki catch, draw and pass.

Robbie Henshaw leapt over to score Ireland's second try just past the hour mark

Another fabulous choke tackle maul - led by Aki and the effervescent Sexton - stemmed England's attacking response, and Sheehan soon had his second try, diving over in the corner after a scintillating piece of play filled with quick passes, pacy lines of running and a magnificent Conan offload out of contact.

Sheehan notched his second and Ireland's third six minutes later

Sexton drilled over the touchline conversion with arms aloft, and though England did land a second half punch in the form of a wonderful Jamie George maul try, Willis was soon sin-binned for a dangerous lift tackle on Ross Byrne.

Replacement hooker Herring then broke from a rolling maul and stretched out to confirm the bonus-point, leaving the Aviva Stadium awash with renditions of the Fields of Athenry on a momentous day.

Replacement hooker Rob Herring scored Ireland's fourth try with four minutes to go

What they said...

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell told ITV Sport post-match...

"It's the fourth time we've done it, it's the first time we've done it at home - it means so much to everyone here and the millions of Irish around the world to be able to do it on St Patrick's weekend.

"Winning a Grand Slam is always a bit special. It was squeaky bum time for a while, credit to France for the pressure they put on for the last couple of games. We knew that it was win at all cost.

"The game was stop-start - it was a proper old-fashioned Test match but, again, we were disappointed with some aspects on the game, but we were a bonus-point win again, so I think that's where we're at at the moment.

"Hopefully, there's bigger fish to fry for Johnny (Sexton) with the World Cup etc, but it's unbelievably fitting for him to have this moment to lift the trophy.

"He actually wanted to go and lift it up with somebody else and I said he mustn't, he's got to do this and relish his moment because he deserves it.

"He's one of the best, if not, the best, that Ireland have produced, and what a way for him to go out of the Six Nations, lifting the trophy on a Grand Slam."

England skipper Owen Farrell told ITV Sport...

"First of all, congratulations to Ireland. Winning the Grand Slam is special, so it has been a brilliant effort from them over this Six Nations.

"I thought we showed a tremendous amount of fight. I thought we probably gave too many penalties away in the first half, which allowed Ireland in, but we fought all the way to their line and when we did get down there we came away with some points.

"Obviously the game changed with the red card. We still showed a brilliant amount of fight after that, worked hard for each other and stuck in it.

"We looked like we were causing problems at some points, but against a top team like Ireland it showed through in the end."

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James Cole recaps the action from Ireland's win over England

What's next?

Ireland complete their 2023 Six Nations campaign with a record of five wins from five, having beaten France and England in Dublin, and won on the road vs Wales, Italy and Scotland.

Farrell's side are next in international action in August for their Rugby World Cup warm-up Tests, with two games announced so far vs Italy (August 5) at the Aviva Stadium, and England (August 19) at the Aviva Stadium.

England finish their campaign under Borthwick with three defeats from five and two wins, after home losses to Scotland and France at Twickenham, a loss to Ireland in Dublin, as well as a home win over Italy and away win vs Wales.

Borthwick's charges have announced four Rugby World Cup warm-up fixtures for August: vs Wales (August 5) in Cardiff, Wales (August 12) at Twickenham, Ireland (August 19) in Dublin, and Fiji (August 26) in Twickenham.