Ireland's fourth Grand Slam and first Six Nations championship since 2018 came from a 29-16 victory over England.
With a 29-16 victory versus England at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland clinched their fourth-ever Six Nations Grand Slam. The game was sold out on Seatsnet, with fans lining up on the platform even before listings were live, and the triumph reaffirmed their position as the top-ranked Rugby Union team going into the World Cup in September.
Six months before the Rugby World Cup, when they had never won a knockout match, the Irish entered the competition as the favourite and breezed through it.
Ireland handled a game against England, but inadequately, and took maximum points from a win and at least four tries at a jam-packed Lansdowne Road, a month after defeating the defending champions and second-ranked France at home.
Andy Farrell's team were worthy of their clean sweep, having won all their games by 13 points or more and breaking France's 14-game unbeaten streak in one of the finest championship games in recent memory.
Ireland finished ahead of France in second place and Scotland in third thanks to two tries from Dan Sheehan, one from Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring, and a third loss for England, who came in fourth.
With a second Grand Slam and the most points ever scored in the Six Nations, captain Jonathan Sexton received the ideal send-off in his final game. With six minutes left, he hobbled away from a standing ovation.
The 37-year-old player moved on to 560 points to beat Ronan O'Gara, his predecessor as fly-half, in his 60th and last Six Nations Test. O'Gara made 63 plays.
Sexton had 1,050 points before the contest against England started, but O'Gara still holds the record for most points bagged in a single game for Ireland with 1,083.
Most importantly for home supporters during St. Patrick's Day weekend festivities, it was Ireland's first time completing the Grand Slam in Dublin following doing so in Twickenham (2018), Cardiff (2009), and Belfast (2010). (1948).
France roaring: Title contenders on home soil?
Fabien Galthie, the head coach of France, declared on Saturday that his team would be “the team to beat” in their country at the Rugby World Cup this year.
On September 8, Les Bleus will welcome New Zealand to kick off their season at the Stade de France. Tickets for the hotly contested encounter are available on Seatsnet, but fans must give it a chance as they run out fast.
Since Galthie took charge in December 2019, Les Bleus have only suffered one home loss.
For the past 18 months, former Test captain Galthie has presided over spectacular victories over nations like New Zealand, Australia, and World Cup champion South Africa.
When Ireland defeated Wales 41-28 in the Six Nations, Galthie told reporters, “I hope that teams are terrified of us now.”
“We should be the team to beat.”
“Our rate of victories is outstanding. We've only ever lost here, to Scotland,” he continued.
France finished second to Grand Slam champions Ireland in this year's Six Nations.
After a sluggish victory over Italy in their first game, they lost in Dublin in round three before wins over Scotland, England, and Wales.
Since taking over for Jacques Brunel following the 2019 World Cup, Galthie has only lost three times in the Six Nations.
Galthie, who celebrates 54 on Monday, added, “We began the Six Nations in a mediocre way; we performed as well as we could.”
“We have a success rate of 80% in the Six Nations with four victories out of five in four.”
Full-back Thomas Ramos finished the Six Nations with 84 points, which included three tries, 18 conversions, ten penalties, and a drop goal, making him the tournament's leading scorer.
After three failed finals and a quarterfinal loss in 2019, France has broken television viewership numbers and sold out stadiums nationwide under Galthie as Les Bleus pursue their first Webb Ellis trophy.
Ramos, 27, asserted that enthusiasm was preferable to the lack of it.
“That doesn't seem to frighten us.
“We are beginning to mature, indicating we can handle pressure.”
“The energy will help us be stronger than the last World Cup,” he continued.
Ramos was among nine French players who made the matchday squad for the victory over Wales. The French powerhouses are still vying for their record-extending sixth Champions Cup triumph and 22nd league title.
In August, France will participate in pre-World Cup warm-up games against Scotland twice, Fiji, and Australia.
Ramos remarked that I'd have a short week off, which would be beneficial.
“Whatever the situation with our teams, you have a task to finish. There's a campaign to end.
“We still have a chance to win two critical competitions, ourselves and Toulouse.”
“The World Cup will come quickly; training begins at the beginning of July, so it will likely happen soon.”
The season's finale “will feel like ten thousand years,” he continued.
Dumortier aspires to remain humble
Ethan Dumortier, a winger for France, says he intends to maintain his modesty after helping this year's Rugby World Cup hosts throughout the Six Nations.
Dumortier, 22, played in every minute of France's campaign—all bar 18—as they came in second in the standings to Grand Slam champion Ireland.
The Lyon teenager has two goals in five international games, and his performance has put him in the running to make Fabien Galthie's World Cup team.
After France defeated Wales 41-28, Dumortier told reporters, “My goal here is to keep my feet on the floor, remain humble, and work hard as I've always done.
“To play for France is what every player hopes to achieve.”
“In my short career, I have checked this small box. Currently, staying for a long period is the goal.”
The Six Nations for France started slowly, with a sluggish victory over Italy and a humiliating loss to eventual champions Ireland.
After victories over Scotland, England, and Wales, they completed their championship defence while amassing the most points and tries throughout the competition.
The Six Nations was challenging at first, according to Dumortier.
“It was somewhat erratic, and We needed to be attacking more thoroughly, at our best.
“We adjusted and modified that. After the conclusion of the Six Nations, we posed a far greater threat.”
Dumortier played his first Test in Rome on the first weekend and scored after only 26 minutes.
After crossing eight times in Eleven league games this season, he received his international call-up.
While playing against the finest players from every nation, the intensity is at a different level, he claimed.
As a Top 14 player, I can learn from this, better my performance there, and prepare for my upcoming France match.
After graduating from the Bourgoin and Lyon academies, Dumortier played for two seasons for France's under-20 national team. He is up against players like Gabin Villiers and Matthis Lebel for a starting position on the flank opposite Damian Penaud.
On September 8, France will face New Zealand in the World Cup opener following a two-month preparation that included four warm-up matches. Tickets for the game are available on Seatsnet.
Dumortier stated that the coaches would decide whether or not to call him up for the World Cup. “It's out of my hands if I've laid down a marker,” he added.
“I made an effort to avoid regrets related to the Six Nations. Let's wait and see where my future leads.”
“I'll give it my all, just as I did for this Six Nations, if I'm fortunate enough to be selected for the World Cup.”
With so many teams gathering form, France 2023 is gearing up to be an extravaganza. Tickets are selling out by the day. Hence, official retailer sites may not be your best option when sourcing RWC tickets and Seatsnet can help you source reliable third-party tickets.
