Rugby Union: Six Nations Championship 2016

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It's about time those dirty Welsh bastards were looked into by the authorities. They've been cheating and undertaking dirty tricks for a while now and they've somehow been getting away with it.

England win 2016 Six Nations Championship

Six Nations: Title winners England 'can dominate tournament'

BBC Sport
13 March 2016

Thomas Castaignède.

England can dominate the Six Nations for years to come, says former France fly-half Thomas Castaignède.

Coached by Australian Eddie Jones, England won a first championship since 2011 and can wrap up the Grand Slam with victory over France on Saturday.

Castaignède, who won Grand Slams in 1997 and 1998, told BBC Sport: "There are no other teams near England.
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"If they keep the same group of players together, they can win the tournament for many years."

England secured the title courtesy of Scotland's win over France on Sunday, which meant they cannot be caught even if they lose in France.

Their success is in contrast to their World Cup display last year, when they became the first tournament hosts since Wales in 1991 to be knocked out in the pool stage.

Jones replaced head coach Stuart Lancaster in November.

Having won all four of his games in charge so far, the former Japan coach can secure a first English Grand Slam since 2003 with victory in Paris.

Former England centre Jeremy Guscott said Jones "promised us changes and he's delivered", while ex-Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies added Jones has done "all the right things".

"England have quality, are very well organised and Eddie Jones brings confidence," added Castaignede.

"They deserve better than the title, they deserve the Grand Slam. I've been really impressed with England and the way they're playing."

England have not won a Grand Slam since March 2003, when...

England last won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2003, the year they went on to become the only Northern Hemisphere side ever to win the Rugby World Cup, beating Eddie Jones's Australia in the final

Gareth Gates' cover of Spirit in the Sky was knocked off the number one spot by Room 5's Make Luv in the same month

Jonny Wilkinson was 237 days away from kicking England to Rugby World Cup glory in Australia

Manchester United were on course for their 15th of 20 league titles

Sven-Goran Eriksson was in charge of England's football team

Roger Federer was still to win his first Grand Slam title

Has Jones delivered?

With two points available for a win, England can not now be caught at the top of the table

England secured the Triple Crown by beating Wales 25-21 at Twickenham on Saturday, nearly six months after Warren Gatland's side had pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat England in the World Cup.

Jones has made a series of changes, including taking the captaincy from Chris Robshaw and handing it to the recalled Dylan Hartley.

He picked James Haskell on the open-side flank, moving Robshaw across to blind-side.

The former Australia coach also gave Test debuts to forwards Maro Itoje, Paul Hill and Jack Clifford and centre Elliot Daly.

England's new Australian coach Eddie Jones has won all four of his games in charge

"Eddie Jones promised us changes and he's delivered," said former England centre Jeremy Guscott.

"I've enjoyed the heads-up rugby. Eddie Jones has instilled this belief to play what's in front of you. They're playing with tempo.

"The accuracy is causing teams problems. They are deserved champions."

"There's a confidence that oozes from this England side," added Davies. "They have balance and a great strength in depth."

Six Nations: Title winners England 'can dominate tournament' - BBC Sport

England celebrated Six Nations win with 'a couple of beers' but real party will begin if they can clinch Grand Slam in Paris

England were named Six Nations champions after Scotland beat France
Players' celebrations thus far have been reasonably low key
The Red Rose have their sights set on a first Grand Slam since 2003
Eddie Jones is hoping to launch a new era of sustained success
RBS Six Nations Rugby 2016: See the latest news, fixtures and results

By Chris Foy for the Daily Mail
14 March 2016
Daily Mail

England on Sunday became RBS Six Nations champions for the first time since 2011 and after 'a couple of beers' to celebrate, Eddie Jones expects his side to clinch a Grand Slam in Paris.

Scotland's victory over France at Murrayfield ensured that England claimed the title a week early, but now they will concentrate on completing their first clean-sweep since the glory days of 2003.

Jones spoke of a 'fantastic achievement' by his players – most of whom were involved in the ill-fated World Cup campaign late last year – but added: 'It's nice to win the championship but we feel we haven't achieved what we want to achieve yet and that's the Grand Slam.'

(L-R) Ben Youngs, George Ford and Owen Farrell pose with the Triple Crown trophy at Twickenham

England boss Eddie Jones and his side have their sights set on a first Grand Slam title since 2003

England face France in the tournament finale in five days' time and Jones is optimistic about their Slam prospects.

'If we prepare well, we'll do the business,' he told the BBC. 'We'll go to Paris confident. France showed at times today they can play sublime rugby but other times it's not so sublime. So we need to make sure they don't have too many sublime moments.'

On Sunday night, the England squad were planning to indulge in a brief, low-key celebration at their Surrey HQ before resuming training the following day.

'We'll have our normal squad meeting after dinner and then we might go down to the bar and have a couple of beers,' said Jones.

England lock Maro Itoje makes a surging run forward ahead of Alex Cuthbert in Saturday's win over Wales

England's Farrell kicks with trademark assurance during the Six Nations victory over Wales at HQ

Chris Robshaw rises highest to win a lineout during England's Six Nations victory over Wales

He highlighted the key role played by former captain Chris Robshaw, adding: 'He's been outstanding.

'To go from where he was at the end of the World Cup to where he is now is a fine achievement.'

Read more: England celebrated Six Nations win with 'a couple of beers' but real party will begin if they can clinch Grand Slam in Paris | Daily Mail Online

Wales prop Tomas Francis cited after Six Nations defeat by England for alleged eye gouge on Dan Cole

Tomas Francis has been cited after appearing to eye gouge Dan Cole
Incident occurred late on in England's 25-21 win over Wales at Twickenham
The prop could face a lengthy ban of 12 weeks or more if found guilty
RBS Six Nations Rugby 2016: See the latest news, fixtures and results

By Andrew Baldock, Press Association
14 March 2016
Daily Mail

Wales prop Tomas Francis has been cited following an incident during Saturday's RBS 6 Nations defeat against England at Twickenham.

Television footage showed the Exeter forward appearing to make contact with the eye area of England tighthead Dan Cole late in the game, which England won 25-21 to set them up for a Grand Slam tilt in Paris next weekend.

A Six Nations statement on Sunday evening read: 'Tomas Francis, the Wales replacement prop forward, has been cited by the independent citing commissioner for allegedly making contact with the eyes or eye area of an opponent (Dan Cole) in the second half of the RBS 6 Nations match between England and Wales at Twickenham on Saturday 12 March 2016. Law 10.4 (m) applies - acts contrary to good sportsmanship.'

Tomas Francis (top, face partially obscured) was cited after appearing to make contact with Dan Cole's eye

These screengrabs from the TV pictures show the hand on Cole's face

The incident happened late in the game before Wales threatened the most remarkable of comebacks

Cole can be seen recoiling with his eyes closed after the incident

Match citing commissioner John Cole also issued a formal warning to England back-row forward James Haskell for a dangerous 'neck roll' tackle in the 16th minute of the second half of the same match.

If 23-year-old Francis is found guilty at the disciplinary hearing, which is to be held later this week, then he could be looking at a lengthy ban - possibly 12 weeks or more.

Saracens' England wing Chris Ashton received a 10-week suspension in January for making contact with the eye area of Ulster back Luke Marshall during a European Champions Cup game, although most observers felt it was a harsh punishment.

Speaking immediately after the Twickenham clash, England head coach Eddie Jones said: 'I never comment on referees' decisions, especially when we have won a game of rugby. (But) if it was a finger put in the eye, then that should be adjudicated.'

The 23-year-old could face a lengthy ban of up to 12 weeks if found guilty at a disciplinary hearing

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said his initial reaction was he didn't think 'it looked great'.

Match referee Craig Joubert opted against carding Francis, and the citing commissioner must now decide whether he feels the incident was worthy of a red card or not.

Any lengthy period of suspension for 11-times-capped Francis could see him miss the rest of this season.

Exeter are currently strong contenders for a place in the Aviva Premiership play-offs, while they face a Champions Cup quarter-final against Wasps early next month.

Wales, meanwhile, play new Six Nations champions England again at Twickenham on May 29 before embarking on a June tour of New Zealand that features three Tests against the world champion All Blacks.

Any lengthy period of suspension for 11-times-capped Francis could see him miss the rest of this season



Read more: Wales prop Tomas Francis cited after Six Nations defeat by England for alleged eye gouge on Dan Cole | Daily Mail Online Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
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Six Nations 2016: England win their first Grand Slam since 2003 with France victory

By Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at the Stade de France
BBC Sport
19 March 2016

France 21-31 England

At the Stade de France, Paris

France: Pens: Machenaud 7
England: Tries: Care, Cole, Watson Cons: Farrell 2 Pens: Farrell 4

France: Spedding, Fofana, Fickou, Mermoz, Vakatawa, Trinh-Duc, Machenaud; Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Flanquart, Maestri, Chouly, Le Roux, Goujon.
Replacements: Chat for Guirado (66), Atonio for Poirot (57), Chiocci for Slimani (57), Jedrasiak for Flanquart (57), Lauret for Goujon (69), Bezy for Machenaud (75), Plisson for Trinh-Duc (13), Medard for Mermoz (69).

England: Brown, Watson, Joseph, Farrell, Nowell, Ford, Care; M Vunipola, Hartley, Cole, Itoje, Kruis, Robshaw, Haskell, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie for Hartley (67), Marler for M Vunipola (41), Clifford for Robshaw (75), Youngs for Care (43).
Not used: Brookes, Launchbury, Tuilagi, Daly.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (IRFU) & Leighton H
odges (WRU)
TMO: Ben Skeen (NZR)

The England squad celebrate at the Stade de France having been crowned 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam champions on Saturday

Captain Dylan Hartley (centre left) holds up the Six Nations trophy alongside James Haskell (left), Mike Brown and Danny Care

The Champagne is in full flow as England are handed the Six Nations trophy after prevailing in all five matches this Championship

England have their first Grand Slam in 13 years after holding out to secure a historic victory in Paris.

First-half tries from Danny Care and Dan Cole had given them a five-point half-time lead, only for the relentless penalty precision of Maxime Machenaud to keep France within touching distance.

But a third try in three matches from Anthony Watson calmed rising nerves before a brace of late penalties from Owen Farrell allowed the travelling support to sing their heroes home.

It marks a remarkable turnaround for new head coach Eddie Jones, coming just six months after the humiliation of a home World Cup exit at the group stages before he took control.

Eddie Jones (left) entrusted James Haskell with the seven shirt and the Wasps man was a warrior throughout the tournament

England had been confirmed as Six Nations champions last weekend, after beating Wales and France subsequently losing against Scotland, yet after a decade of near misses and disappointments this is a triumph that will be celebrated long into the night.

They were far from flawless, as in each of their five wins this winter, but Jones will know that this young side is capable of much more as they continue to develop.

Care bursts through the French defence in Paris to sprint clear and secure England's first try of the evening in the Six Nations clash

England scrum-half Care leaps over to score a fine break away try after 12 minutes of the Six Nations clash at the Stade de France. The England team wore poppies on their shirts to commemorate 100 years since the Battle of the Somme

England tighthead prop Dan Cole forced his way over to notch up England's second try of the Six Nations finale against the French

England captain Dylan Hartley (right) leads out his side next to the France squad as they leave the Stade de France tunnel

Anthony Watson (right) was penalised from the kick-off for this aerial challenge as France dominated the opening exchanges in Paris

The England trio of Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley and Mako Vunipola (all in white) prepare to do battle for the visitors in the scrum

England and Exeter Chiefs wing Jack Nowell (centre) is tackled by France's flanker Bernard Le Roux with the Red Rose in attack

England's supporters celebrate during the match against France as Eddie Jones' side maintained their pursuit of Grand Slam glory

England captain Dylan Hartley (centre) is left out cold following an accidental knock to the head and had to be carried off the pitch

England skipper Hartley is carried off the Stade de France pitch having been knocked out by a challenge late in the second half

"I'm very proud of the boys," Jones told BBC Sport afterwards. "It's a great achievement by the team. I always had confidence in them.

"Dylan Hartley has been fantastic and he has done a very good job. Billy Vunipola, Mike Brown and Owen Farrell have done very well assisting him along with James Haskell and Chris Robshaw. That nucleus has been very strong.

"The great thing is the best is ahead of us. We're looking forward to [the summer tour to] Australia and we're only going to get better."

Relive the drama as England won the Grand Slam

Care and Cole open lead

Machenaud and Farrell had exchanged early penalties as France attacked out wide with the flair of old, Scott Spedding and Virimi Vakatawa slicing and smashing into space down the left.

But it was England who struck decisively, recalled scrum-half Care picking the ball up from the base of an unattended ruck 30 metres out, handing off Jefferson Poirot and dashing away and under the posts.

Farrell converted before Machenaud's second penalty cut the lead to four, only for Eddie Jones's men to once again profit from lax defence.

This time it was Cole, taking the ball six metres out, spinning from the first tackle and powering through the second to roll over the line.

The French crowd whistled and jeered, convinced that Mako Vunipola had obstructed a defender, but referee Nigel Owens watched it back on the big screen just once before confirming the try.

Again Farrell converted, again Machenaud landed a penalty, and again France went left through the thundering Vakatawa, only for the big winger to be shoved into touch a few metres short.

England ceded a fine attacking opportunity of their own through a knock-on and, as half-time approached, Machenaud cut the lead to 17-12 with his fourth from four.

Machenaud punished England

Jones, who replaced Stuart Lancaster in November, threw on Joe Marler for Mako Vunipola and Ben Youngs for Care, but it was Vakatawa who almost escaped as the second half began, scooping up a loose ball and crashing to within five metres before Jack Nowell's brilliant last-ditch tackle.

Machenaud and Farrell landed another matching pair of penalties and England began to stagger a little under the blue-shirted assaults.

Discipline had been an issue all night, as it had been throughout the championship, and when skipper Dylan Hartley was penalised Machenaud's precision made it a two-point game.

Anthony Watson has scored four of his 11 England tries against France, twice as many as he has scored against any other side

England were getting sloppy, the errors mounting up, and once again Billy Vunipola came to the rescue.

The big number eight powered away off a scrum, Youngs took the ball on and then, with the defence closing, sent a perfect grubber kick away for Watson to gather and score in the corner.

It did little to calm the nerves of the substantial travelling support. Farrell's conversion from the left touchline slid wide, England messed up the restart and Machenaud's right boot worked its magic again for 25-21.

Grand Slam glory

Still England led, the Grand Slam in their grasp with the minutes ticking away.

Then Hartley took a knee to the head making a tackle, appeared knocked cold and was stretchered off the field, and the inexperienced Luke Cowan-Dickie was rushed on to take his place.

Ten minutes to go, and with England's earlier threat with ball in hand appearing to have evaporated, Farrell landed a monster of a kick from halfway to push the lead out to seven.

At last France cracked. Xavier Chiocci was sent to the sin bin, Farrell stroked over the penalty to bring his own total to 21 and England could celebrate the end of a long and painful wait.

Man of the match

England number eight Billy Vunipola capped off a fine tournament by carrying for 70 metres and beating four defenders.


Six Nations 2016: England win Grand Slam with France victory - BBC Sport



Wales secure second spot thanks to record-breaking victory over Italy

By Richard Williams
BBC Wales Sport at the Principality Stadium
19 Marc h 2016

Wales 67-14 Italy

Wales: Tries: Webb, Biggar, J Davies, Roberts, North, L Williams, Moriarty 2, G Davies Cons: Biggar 5, Priestland 3 Pens: Biggar 2

Italy: Palazzani, Garcia Cons: Haimona 2

Wales: Williams; North, J Davies, Roberts, Amos (Anscombe 48 ); Biggar (Priestland 58 ), Webb (G Davies 62); Faletau, Tipuric (Moriarty 16), Lydiate (captain); Charteris, B Davies (Ball 58 ); Lee (Jarvis 58 ), Baldwin (Owens 49), Evans (Jenkins 49)

Italy: Odiete; Sarto, Pratichetti (Haimona 36), Garcia, Bellini (McClean 33); Allan, Palazzani (Lucchese 64); Parisse (captain), Zanni, Minto (Steyn 58 ); Bernabo (Sarto 46), Geldenhuys; Castrogiovanni (Chistolini 46), Giazzon,(Fabiani 49), Lovotti (Zanusso 64)
Sin Bin: Palazanni (18 )

Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England) & Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

Dan Biggar is congratulated by Jamie Roberts after scoring a try in Wales' dominant win over Italy

Wales sealed second place behind England in the Six Nations thanks to a record-breaking win over Italy.

Warren Gatland's team scored nine tries on their way to their biggest points total in a championship game in Cardiff.

Scrum-half Rhys Webb started the rout with the opening try within five minutes, and wing George North scored his fourth try in successive games.

Dan Biggar also scored a try in a personal tally of 20 points.

Replacement Ross Moriarty crossed twice as Wales won by a record margin of 53 points against the Italians - beating the 41-point mark set last year in Rome.

Italy were completely outclassed, but crossed twice in the second half through scrum-half Guiglielmo Palazzini and centre Gonzalo Garcia.

But for lacklustre first-half displays in the 16-16 draw with Ireland and the 25-21 loss to England, Wales could have been championship contenders.

As it is, they will watch England - already crowned champions - go for a Grand Slam in Paris.

Davies runs in 80-metre try for Wales

Playing fast and loose

Head coach Warren Gatland had talked about taking Italy seriously ahead of this match, but the visitors - still smarting from a hammering in Dublin a week earlier - were under under the cosh from the first minute.

First-half tries came for Webb on his return to the starting line-up, Biggar and an absolute cracker from Jonathan Davies after a move starting under their own posts.

But overlaps went begging, three times the ball was passed into touch so even trailing 27-0 at the interval Italy had been let off the hook.

More of the same

Full-back Liam Williams scored a second-half try for Wales

The mistakes were fewer after the break as Jamie Roberts and North scored in quick succession.

Italy were stubborn but had little possession and asked few questions apart from the tries, which were isolated sorties in the face of a red tide.

Moriarty followed in the footsteps of his father Paul and uncle Richard by scoring for Wales after coming on for the concussed Justin Tipuric.

And Gareth Davies rounded things off with his seventh international touchdown with the clock well into the red and Italy trying to claim a third try.

Davies' try was the 29th conceded by Italy in this year's tournament.

But Wales' lap of honour was not what it might have been if they had played better in the first hour against England.

George North powered a try for Wales as they enjoyed almost total dominance over a sorry Italian side

First-half replacement for Justin Tipuric, Moriarty, added two second-half tries as he opened his account

Man of the Match

George North scored one of Wales' nine tries

George North made a mess of Italy's defence from the opening five minutes, scored a cracker and had a hand in Davies' try. The big Northampton wing has his mojo back, carrying the ball for 143 metres and taking his try tally for this year's tournament to four.

What the coaches thought

Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "We know sometimes we've been slow starters in campaigns but we've just got to keep working hard on that and today was a good response by the players.

"We conceded a couple of tries which was disappointing, but I thought we scored some outstanding tries and put the ball through the hands and some players put up some pretty big performances."

What's next?

For Wales it is England at Twickenham on 29 May followed by three Test matches in New Zealand the following month. Opposition who will ask more questions than Italy.

Six Nations 2016: Wales 67-14 Italy - BBC Sport

Ireland finish third after beating Scotland in Dublin

Ireland 35-25 Scotland

By Tom English
BBC Scotland at the Aviva Stadium
19 March 2016

Ireland: Tries: Stander, Earls, Murray, Toner Cons: Sexton 3 Pens: Sexton 3

Scotland: (13) 25Tries: Hogg, Gray, Dunbar Cons: Laidlaw 2 Pens: Laidlaw 2

Team line-ups:

Ireland: Zebo, Trimble, Payne, Henshaw, Earls, Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best (capt), Ross, Ryan, Toner, Stander, O'Donnell, Heaslip.
Replacements: Strauss (for Best, 67), Healy (for McGrath, 67), White (for Ross, 63), Dillane (for Ryan, 69), Ruddock (for O'Donnell, 69), Reddan (for Murray, 78 ), Madigan, McFadden (for Trimble, 78 ).
Yellow card: Sexton (77)

Scotland: Hogg, Seymour, Taylor, Dunbar, Visser, Weir, Laidlaw (capt); Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Gray, Swinson, Barclay, Hardie, Wilson.
Replacements: McInally (for Ford, 50), Sutherland (for Dickinson, 66), Low (for Nel, 68 ), Harley (for Swinson, 63), Strauss (for Hardie, 53), Pyrgos, Horne (for Weir, 62), Lamont (for Visser, 69).
Yellow cards: Barclay (24), Dunbar (67)

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)

Ireland No 8 Jamie Heaslip has praised his side's performance in their Six Nations victory over Scotland

Ireland finished a challenging Six Nations with a four try to three victory in a feisty contest in Dublin.

Joe Schmidt's side were mostly dominant, responding to Stuart Hogg's magnificent solo try with first-half scores for CJ Stander and Keith Earls.

Conor Murray scored a third early in the second half to make it 28-13, but Richie Gray's score narrowed the gap.

Devin Toner's try with 12 minutes left settled it, but Alex Dunbar still crossed for a consolation late on.

It was only the 2015 champions' second win of the campaign after last week's nine-try hammering of Italy, but will likely seal a third-place finish unless France beat England in Saturday's final game.

Ireland deserved it, but the Scots will have cause for huge regret after falling short in their mission to record a third straight championship win for the first time in 20 years.

The hosts scored 12 points while John Barclay was in the sin-bin in the first half and another seven when Dunbar was yellow-carded in the second.

Ireland, themselves, shipped that Dunbar try after Jonny Sexton became the third man to walk. It was gripping and fractious stuff, from first whistle to last.

Hogg's scintillating try a brief ray of light

CJ Stander, Keith Earls, Conor Murray and Devin Toner all scored tries in the 35-25 success in Dublin

In a tough match, Heaslip saluted his team's fighting spirit to come from behind to claim a victory

The Irishman said: 'We took our chance when we got down there and we're very happy with the win'

Ireland came out of the traps quickly, peppering Scotland with high kicks and taking them apart at the breakdown, an area of significant joy for the Irish and consistent pain for the Scots.

Sexton put Ireland 6-0 ahead inside 13 minutes and they were good value for it. There were brief moments of respite for Vern Cotter's team, but they didn't last. Greig Laidlaw put over a penalty, but Sexton cancelled it out soon after.

Six Nations: Stuart Hogg scores amazing try for Scotland

Then Hogg scored a mesmerising try - a scintillating break from inside his own half, cutting a gorgeous line between Rory Best and Mike Ross - but normal business resumed thereafter.

Ireland had all the possession, all the territory and all the try threat. They had big carriers in the shape of Stander, in particular, and when they set up camp inside Scotland's 22 and had Barclay binned at another ruinous breakdown, that was the cue for the pivotal period of the game.

The Scots were put under immense pressure on their line in the wake of Barclay's exit, Stander eventually diving up and over the ruck for his second try of this Six Nations. Sexton converted and Ireland's lead was six.

CJ Stander was Ireland's top ball-carrier with 22, and scored their opening try

Ireland scored again within three minutes, a passage of play that began with Duncan Weir kicking out on the full from the restart after Stander's try. The nightmarish moment for Scotland came when Sexton put a speculative angled kick into the Ireland 22 and Hogg and Tommy Seymour collided in trying to deal with it.

Earls gobbled up the loose ball to make it 21-10, Laidlaw reducing the deficit to eight with a long-range penalty in the last act of the half.

Irish repel Scots' comeback

The gap did Ireland no favours. It should have been a whole lot higher. And higher it got when Murray drove over for his third try of the championship after another Irish siege of the Scots' line.

Sexton converted to make it 28-13 and at that point it looked like a done deal. Scotland, though, are made of sterner stuff these days.

They brought on hooker Stuart McInally for Ross Ford - and McInally was excellent. They sprung Josh Strauss, too. And suddenly Scotland got some ball.

When Gray went through under the sticks just short of the hour, the Aviva Stadium gulped hard. Laidlaw's conversion was good and a game that had looked won was now alive again at 28-20.

Ireland came again, though. The catalyst for the game-clinching moment was a dangerous Dunbar tackle on Sexton, the centre becoming the second player to be sent to the bin.

Just as they had done when Barclay was punished earlier, Ireland made Scotland suffer again. The penalty for the Dunbar tackle on Sexton was put to touch, Ireland launched another big line-out maul and after some heavy grunt, Toner crashed over.

Sexton's conversion put the game away, but still there was a last act of defiance from Dunbar, the final score in a madcap Test.

Six Nations 2016: Ireland 35-25 Scotland - BBC Sport