Ireland's indiscipline proves costly

Ireland 7 England 34: England’s women captured their first Six Nations title since 2012 as they swept to victory in a pulsating Grand Slam decider at Donnybrook last night.

In front of a crowd of 6,105 enjoying a double header begun earlier in the evening with England’s men’s U20s also securing a Grand Slam, Ireland had proven stubborn opponents until a 58th-minute yellow card for replacement back-rower Mairead Coyne proved the turning point.

Having trailed 5-0 at half-time, Ireland conceded another try after the interval but Coyne’s sin-binning for a deliberate knock-on opened the floodgates, England scoring a further two tries with the numerical advantage and then a killer blow with seven minutes to go.