Ireland rugby celebrated grand slam glory after defeating England in Dublin.
Here are 5 standout performers from their Six Nations triumph.
Doris has turn into a colossal determine in Ireland’s again row having developed from a rising star to a world-class No 8 since making his debut within the first match of Andy Farrell’s tenure.
The towering 24-year-old claimed his nation’s opening strive of the event and has been a fearsome presence for opposition sides. His excellent ball-carrying expertise had been a key weapon within the Irish arsenal, whereas he additionally produced a sequence of essential turnovers.
Influential on and off the sector, captain Sexton continues to relentlessly drive requirements. The 37-year-old taskmaster deservedly celebrated his remaining Six Nations marketing campaign by lifting the title for the primary time as skipper and a fourth event total.
He additionally took particular person acclaim by surpassing former fly-half rival Ronan O’Gara because the championship’s all-time main factors scorer. His forthcoming retirement following the autumn World Cup in France will depart sizeable boots to fill.
Like Doris, Ireland’s ‘Mr Dependable’ is among the contemporary faces who’ve helped the workforce kick on because the 2019 World Cup. Keenan has made the complete again function his personal and began 30 of his nation’s final 32 matches.
Exceptional underneath the excessive ball, the 26-year-old is lightning fast and barely makes errors. His main contributions throughout the championship included Ireland’s opening strive within the pulsating victory over France, whereas he was among the many event’s high performers for metres gained.
Mack Hansen
Successive man-of-the-match shows in opposition to Italy and Scotland underlined the Australia-born wing’s rising significance to the trigger.
The 24-year-old, who solely made his Test debut a 12 months in the past, was phenomenal at Murrayfield and, like James Lowe on the opposing flank, has added a unique dimension to Ireland’s assault. A continuing inventive menace, he’s fearless, pacey and chips in with essential tries, resembling his well timed second at Stadio Olimpico.
The lock continues to develop as a pacesetter and impressed gamers previous and current by talking passionately of Ireland’s troubled historical past and the importance of carrying the inexperienced jersey within the run-up to the France sport.
On the sector, he’s again to his formidable greatest after struggling a dip in type both aspect of the 2021 Lions tour, for which he was ignored. He led the workforce in Rome and was a tackling machine all through the event.
