The competitors for the Six Nations title was extremely tight this yr, with 10 of the 15 matches settled by a mere 4 factors or fewer. This contains all three matches performed within the thrilling last spherical.
For Irish rugby followers, this triggered them to erupt in cheers as soon as once more! The boys in inexperienced have secured one other Six Nations title, which marks a major achievement for Eire, solidifying their place as a powerhouse in European rugby. Right here’s how they reigned supreme:
Dominant begin in opposition to France
Following their Grand Slam heroics in 2023, Eire entered the 2024 Six Nations with a goal painted on their backs. The starvation for one more championship was palpable, not simply among the many gamers but in addition throughout the passionate Irish rugby fanbase. This need manifested from the very first video games with France in Marseille.
The match on the Orange Vélodrome was a fascinating show of assaults from Eire, dismantling the French problem with a complete 38-17 victory. The primary half belonged firmly to the guests. A shift in personnel noticed scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and lock Tadhg Beirne cross the road for well-constructed tries, showcasing the number of threats Eire possessed.
France’s problem was additional hampered by a crimson card proven to Paul Willemse simply earlier than the break for a excessive deal with, decreasing them to 14 males. Regardless of this setback, France rallied momentarily, with Damian Penaud scoring a attempt to slender the deficit to a mere seven factors at halftime.
The second half noticed Eire capitalize on their numerical benefit. Calvin Nash prolonged their lead with a strive within the nook earlier than Paul Gabrillagues responded for a resurgent France (although Peter O’Mahony was sin-binned for a technical offence within the lead-up).
Nonetheless, Eire remained relentless. Dan Sheehan secured an important bonus level with Eire’s fourth strive simply previous the hour mark, successfully placing the sport to mattress. Substitute Ronan Kelleher added an extra strive within the closing phases, capping off a dominant efficiency with a five-try haul for the Irish.
This dominant show was an exciting begin for followers who tuned in to look at the match. For many who missed the motion, you may watch the Six Nations event replay, permitting you to relive this sensational efficiency and all the opposite heart-stopping moments of the sport.
Defensive masterclass shuts down Wales
The Welsh, recognized for his or her expansive attacking model, had been hindered by Peter O’Mahony. Again and again, the Welsh backs had been annoyed by Eire’s well-organized defensive position, compelled into errors and unable to penetrate the inexperienced wall.
Whereas the sport itself was tight, Eire’s medical edge reigned. Johnny Sexton, again after recovering from his damage, made a well-executed backline transfer that resulted in a strive for Robbie Henshaw.
Wales struggled to interrupt down the resolute Irish protection, managing solely a solitary penalty from fly-half Gareth Anscombe. The ultimate rating of 31-7 mirrored Eire’s defensive masterclass, successfully suffocating the Welsh assault.
Should you watch Eire RWC23 highlights of their match in opposition to New Zealand, you’ll see that their defensive prowess is great. They confirmed the identical greatness throughout their third-round conflict in opposition to Wales on the Aviva Stadium.
Scientific management in opposition to Italy
Eire’s residence encounter in opposition to Italy within the second spherical exemplified their medical effectivity. From the outset, the Irish dominated possession, using a tactical kicking recreation to pin the Italians deep in their very own territory.
Johnny Sexton deliberate the assaults with pinpoint precision, exploiting any weaknesses within the Italian protection. Winger James Lowe capitalized on one such alternative, slicing by way of the Italian backline to attain a strive within the nook.
The breakdown space proved to be one other Irish stronghold. CJ Stander and Peter O’Mahony dominated the collisions, securing essential turnovers and creating scoring alternatives for his or her backs.
Fly-half Joey Carbery, beginning in Sexton’s absence on account of a minor damage, added priceless factors by way of penalties and conversions. Eire’s medical execution continued all through the match, with additional tries from Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose solidifying their dominance. The ultimate rating of 36-0 mirrored Eire’s ruthless effectivity.
A setback with England
Eire’s unbeaten run got here to a halt of their conflict in opposition to England at Twickenham Stadium. Regardless of a valiant effort, a last-minute drop objective by England fly-half Marcus Smith snatched victory from the grasp of the Irish.
The match itself was tense and tactical, with each groups cancelling one another out for big durations. England struck first by way of a strive from heart Ollie Lawrence, however Eire responded with 4 well-executed penalties from fly-half Jack Crowley.
The turning level got here simply earlier than halftime when winger James Lowe dived over within the nook for an important Irish strive. Nonetheless, England fly-half George Furbank replied with a strive of his personal shortly after the break, protecting the scoreline tight.
The strain escalated all through the second half, with either side exchanging blows. Regardless of a valiant defensive effort from Eire, England managed to claw their means again into the sport. With the clock ticking in direction of crimson and the rating tied at 22-22, Marcus Smith stepped as much as convert a stress drop objective, sending a collective groan by way of the Irish supporters and securing a dramatic victory for England.
A tense climax with Scotland
The ultimate spherical of the Six Nations was a nail-biting match between Eire and Scotland at Aviva Stadium. Eire managed to get forward early on with two well-executed tries. The primary noticed winger James Lowe weave by way of the Scottish protection to the touch down, whereas the second stemmed from a well-worked lineout play that resulted in a rating for heart Bundee Aki.
Nonetheless, the resilient Scots refused to crumble. Fly-half Finn Russell orchestrated a number of attacking forays, protecting the Irish protection on their toes. Their persistence paid off with a late solo strive from winger Huw Jones, who exploited a spot within the Irish protection to dash clear and rating below the posts. This introduced the rating to a heart-stopping 17-13 with simply minutes remaining on the clock.
Captain Johnny Sexton’s tactical kicking pinned Scotland deep in their very own territory, whereas the Irish pack, led by Peter O’Mahony, dominated the breakdown, slowing down Scottish assaults and forcing errors. The ultimate whistle blew to a deafening roar from the Irish devoted, securing a well-known victory and their second consecutive Six Nations title.
Remaining ideas
What a Six Nations efficiency for Eire! Dismantling France was only the start, and that dramatic win over Scotland to safe back-to-back titles? Pure magic! It is a new period for Irish rugby, they usually’ve nicely and actually cemented themselves as European powerhouses.
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