IRELAND GRAND SLAMS ON THE DOUBLE!
Congratulations Ireland on winning not one but two Grand Slam Six Nations championships, appropriately over St. Patrick’s weekend. The U-20’s win (their second successive Grand Slam) was perhaps the more impressive of the two for the Senior side did not perform up to expectations. However, it is the sign of a good squad that, when facing adversity (as they did against Scotland) and then playing below par against England, they came up with the solutions to prevail. The ‘ould enemy’ were not helped by a red card in each decider, with Freddie Steward’s sending off at the Aviva looking a severe call.
Nevertheless, it was the perfect outcome for Ireland as they retain their No.1 ranking ahead of the hugely anticipated Rugby World Cup later this year. Of course, the triumphs brought great pride to Buccaneers who had a player in both squads on the final weekend. Harry West came on as a replacement at Musgrave Park while Robbie Henshaw marked his return to the starting XV at Lansdowne Road (where injury ruled Finlay Bealham out) with his tenth try on his 63rd cap. Congrats all round!