Ireland - 2023 Grand Slam winners. Has a bit of a ring to it, doesn't it?
This evening's game against England was a nervy affair. Ireland did not play to their best, committing the type of errors that we have rarely seen from them over the last year or so. Despite that, they still got the job done.
They would run out 29-16 winners in the end, emerging with a bonus point to go along with their status as Triple Crown and Six Nations winners.
𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄! ☘️
Just wonderful full-time scenes at the Aviva as the Irish players celebrate Grand Slam glory at home for the very first time!#IREvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/NTdA2KYf9l— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 18, 2023
Of course, this was a huge occasion for the team. Not only was a Grand Slam on the line, but it also represented the last time we would see Johnny Sexton feature in a Six Nations game.
It was a performance befitting of his career. During periods in the game when Ireland needed a bit of magic to lift the standards, more often than not he was the man to provide it.
He would also cement his status as the top point scorer in the competition's history. A nice way to go out.
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Johnny Sexton gives emotional interview after last Six Nations game
Johnny Sexton would lift the Six Nations trophy after his last game in the competition, an honour that he more than deserved.
He was certainly in an emotional mood after the final whistle, giving a brilliant interview to sum up what the occasion meant to him and the other players involved.
🗣 "It's like living in a dream. I'm worried I'm going to wake up!
🗣 "Bloody hell what a team.
🗣 "It's dream come true stuff, I'm pinching myself.
Johnny Sexton moments after captaining Ireland to a Grand Slam in his final ever Six Nations game!#IREvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/NKYjdBDgAh— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 18, 2023
Honestly, you couldn't make it up. It's like living in a dream, I'm actually worried that I'm going to wake up in the morning.
We didn't play our best, but bloody hell what a team. What a group of coaches, they prepared us so well. We did nothing that they told us and did the exact opposite, we made things hard for ourselves. England are a top class team.
To come here and get a win on St Patrick's weekend, it's unbelievable. What a day, unbelievable...
We set out to win a Grand Slam at the start of the year, we had a Triple Crown last year and wanted to build on that. It came down to today, we talked about this day eight weeks ago.
We finally got to the big final, and we didn't quite nail it, but we did enough. I'm so proud of the lads to stay in it. Thank you to everyone here today, unbelievable atmosphere...
It's the best tournament you can play in. It's the best country you can play for. It's an incredible group of people and we're so proud to be Irish. Everyone time we come out here we want to show that to everyone here.
I think we do that, win, lose, or draw. That's the main thing...
It doesn't feel like the end. There's plenty more left in this team, we need to keep building and certainly improve on today.
We'll be back and we're going to need all this support in four or five months time...
This is what you dream of as a kid. To have my family here watching the team today, it's dream come true stuff. I have to pinch myself.
A fitting end to the Six Nations career of an Irish legend.
As Johnny Sexton pointed out, we can be hopeful that this is only the start of what could be a monumental year for Irish rugby. Next up, the World Cup.
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