After 1948, 2009 and 2018, the XV of Ireland won the fourth Grand Slam in its history in an Aviva Stadium in Dublin overwhelmed with emotion, with a full house – 27 points – with this offensive bonus, icing on the pudding that Englishmen, however pugnacious and courageous, could not refuse him. Especially since they were unfairly reduced to fourteen at the end of the first period, and even to thirteen with four minutes remaining. They nevertheless knew how to keep their course by registering their try in the 73rd minute by hooker Jamie George, pushed by a found pack. As for France, it finished in second place in the ranking, a copy of the World Rugby world ranking.
On the half hour mark, when hooker Dan Sheehan drilled inside Josh van der Flier behind a well-negotiated throw-in on the edge of England’s twenty-two yards to score Ireland’s first try, France’s chances of staying in first place in the rankings dwindled considerably. It was even believed that they had completely disappeared when the South African referee, Mr. Peyper, inflicted a red card (40th + 3) on the English back Freddie Steward for an involuntary hip blow to the face of his vis-à-vis -vis Hugo Keenan, a gesture of self-protection more than deliberate aggression.
brave english people
From this controversial decision, even if the English showed immense courage, a great deal of abnegation, almost rage in the face of this twist of fate, this undeserved sanction, they ended up giving in to the hour mark against an Irish team that they had so far managed to contain. The first half hour had even been balanced, the opener, scorer and captain Owen Farrell allowing the Rose to lead 6-3, each team having had its highlight: 11th for Ireland, 21st for England.
With his penalty goal, Jonathan Sexton, very leggy, had become the best scorer in the history of the Tournament (566 points before his ovation exit in the 75th) ahead of his compatriot Ronan O’Gara. But Farrell replaced his team, boosted, in ambush thanks to his third goal of the evening (51st, 10-9). Before the fateful hour of play, Robbie Henshaw (68th) and Dan Sheehan for his double (68th) charge the score.
And when the English flanker Jack Willis came out on a yellow card (76th) for a cathedral tackle, the Irish, in double numerical superiority, went to seek this offensive bonus through their hooker replacing Herring (77th) before resisting the English last stand which deployed four minutes after regulation time.
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