The Grand Slam
Just time for a quick post to mark the occasion of the end of the 2023 Six Nations competition, Ireland’s victory over England in Dublin this evening making it a triumphant Grand Slam for the men in green. It wasn’t a great game, to be honest. I think the weight of expectation on the Irish players got to them a bit in the first half, and they made too many handling errors. Ireland also missed a couple of key players after the bruising game against Scotland last week. I half-wondered whether they might fall at the last fence. England couldn’t possibly have played as badly as they did against France last weekend, when they lost 53-10. I dread to think what the mood would have been like around town if Ireland hadn’t won.
In the end, though it was a relatively comfortable victory, with England’s only try, coming very late, was little more than a consolation and was quickly followed by a reply at the other end. In the closing stages The Fields of Athenry was ringing out around the stadium at Lansdowne Road, a celebration only marred by Johnny Sexton having to go off injured in his last-ever Six Nations match. What a career he has had!
Congratulations to Ireland on a magnificent achievement, thoroughly well deserved. This is an excellent team. Bring on the World Cup! (Though with home advantage, the excellent French side who came second in this year’s Six Nations, will be hard to beat.)
I remember Ireland doing the Grand Slam in 2009 by winning their last game against Wales in Cardiff. Judging by the celebrations after that, Dublin will be buzzing tonight, with relief as well as joy!
In the Dark 
March 18, 2023 at 10:22 pm
You might have mentioned that the match was pretty even until England had a man redcarded for a collision that various international rugby players neither Irish nor English consider on social media to be a “rugby incident”.
I would not have minded losing to Ireland had it been 15 men a side, and I wish them well in the World Cup because England aren’t in it and I want the Northern Hemisphere to win the trophy.
March 18, 2023 at 10:36 pm
For what it’s worth I think the referee made the correct call according to the letter of the law. I’ve seen similar decisions in the URC. The referees are give. Vrry clear instructions these days: a tackle involving contact with the head of a player is a red card. The slow motion makes it clear that Steward tried to protect himself as he hit Hugo Keenan’s head. Keenan had to go off because of concussion. That’s dangerous play. For once I agree with the Irish Times.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/03/18/talking-point-peyper-called-the-tune-correctly-when-it-came-to-stewards-sending-off/
March 18, 2023 at 10:56 pm
P.s. “A high tackle is an illegal tackle causing head contact, where head contact is identified by clear, direct contact to (the ball-carrier’s) head/ neck OR the head visibly moves backwards from the contact point OR the ball carrier requires a HIA.”
March 19, 2023 at 8:38 am
Take it up with those internationals on social media!
March 19, 2023 at 11:13 am
I’ve never been one to court controversy… 😉