Six Nations: Ireland confirmed

Ireland’s Sean Cronin (R) celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth try during the Six Nations international rugby union match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on March 10, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Paul FAITH

Six Nations: Ireland confirmed champs as England go down to France

Ireland are the 2018 Six Nations Champions after England lost to France in Paris.

Six Nations: Ireland confirmed

Ireland’s Sean Cronin (R) celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth try during the Six Nations international rugby union match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on March 10, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Paul FAITH

Ireland were confirmed 2018 Six Nations Champions on Saturday night, with one game still to play, as England went down 22-16 to France in Paris.

Ireland, who remain unbeaten in the competition, thumped Scotland earlier in the day, don’t even need to show up to their fixture next weekend and they’ll still be this year’s winners.

England, who have now lost two in a row, were dreadful on the night in Paris and coach Eddie Jones will be asking some serious questions of his players.

England went into the game knowing that only a bonus-point victory would prevent the Irish, with four wins from four after an earlier 28-8 triumph over Scotland, winning the championship.

The game at the Stade de France was 9-9 at half-time as penalties from Owen Farrell (2) and Elliot Daly were cancelled out by Machenaud.

France were awarded a penalty try early in the second-half, a converted Jonny May try for England making for a frenetic finish before Lionel Beauxis landed a late penalty to wrap the game up.

As a result, Ireland won their third Six Nations title under Joe Schmidt. They can still clinch their third Five/Six Nations Grand Slam if they beat England next Saturday.

The Irish are on 19 points and England and France on 10 going into the final round of matches.

Schmidt took over a demoralised Irish side after the 2013 Six Nations but then guided the Irish to back to back titles in 2014/15.

England won the subsequent two – the Irish denying them successive Grand Slams by beating them in Dublin last year.

The English will be keen to return the favour at Twickenham – where they are yet to taste defeat under Eddie Jones since he took over after the 2015 World Cup debacle.

For Ireland, though, victory was sweet, if somewhat odd.

“It is a very strange feeling to win the championship with a game to go,” star fly-half Johnny Sexton said.

“Credit to the management team to have prepared us so well for each match with so many players missing,” said Sexton.

“Beforehand if someone told me you are going to win the championship without van der Flier, Heaslip and Henshaw I wouldn’t have believed them.

“It is great we have built a bit of depth but we know the biggest challenge (England) lies ahead.”

“From a wider perspective the players out there have won this title for the injured players and those who worked really hard but didn’t get to play,” said Schmidt.