Ireland sent center great Brian O’Driscoll into international retirement with the Six Nations title after a nailbiting 22-20 win over France in Paris on Saturday.
“The emotions are starting to kick in now,” O’Driscoll, the world’s most-capped player, told the BBC.
“It feels great to be a two-time Six Nations winner. So many seconds along the years and so many disappointments, it is great to finish my career on a high. When I do hang this jersey up on the hook inside it will be with fond memories,” he said.
“I am absolutely delighted. There is a huge Irish contingent here and I am glad we gave them something to shout about,” O’Driscoll added.
Jonathan Sexton scored two tries and missed five points with the boot before the Ireland flyhalf, who plays his club rugby for Paris-based Racing Metro, was knocked out trying to tackle giant French center Mathieu Bastareaud.
Ireland then survived a late French rally — Jean-Marc Doussain missing a penalty and Damien Chouly having a try disallowed for a forward pass — to secure their first Six Nations title since 2009.
Wing Andrew Trimble’s try also contributed to a first Ireland win in Paris since 2000, when O’Driscoll scored a memorable hat-trick.
Earlier on Saturday, England went to the top of the table with a 52-11 victory away to Italy in Rome.
However, although England scored seven tries, their points difference of plus-73 was still marginally worse than previous leaders Ireland’s plus-81.
That meant any sort of Ireland win would give them the Championship, and with Wales thrashing Scotland, France — who were title contenders at kick-off — finished in fourth place.
All England could do was sit and wait for several hours before Ireland’s win meant they finished runners-up for the third time in as many Six Nations under coach Stuart Lancaster.
“Credit to Ireland — they are deserved winners and it’s a fitting finale and send-off for Brian O’Driscoll, a legend of the game whom everyone in this [England] squad respects massively,” Lancaster said in a Rugby Football Union statement.
England, who beat Ireland 13-10 at Twickenham last month, might have been celebrating a Grand Slam but for a last-gasp loss to France in their tournament opener in Paris.
However, Lancaster was heartened by the way his youthful and injury-hit side had performed this Six Nations.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved over the tournament, both in how this young group has developed and also our intent to play attacking rugby,” he said.
England were 24-6 up at halftime at the Stadio Olimpico after fullback Mike Brown scored two tries and flyhalf Owen Farrell also crossed the Italian line.
Then, after Italy were reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of lock Marco Bortolami, England wing Jack Nowell scored their fifth try.
Prop Mako Vunipola and replacement back Manu Tuilagi added to England’s try tally.
Leonardo Sarto pulled one back for Italy before England captain Chris Robshaw scored a try with the last play of the game.
Saturday’s second match, which had no bearing on the title, saw two-time defending champions Wales inflict a record 51-3 defeat upon Scotland in Cardiff.
Scotland were forced to play with just 14 men for nearly an hour after fullback Stuart Hogg was sent off for a late tackle on Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar
The visitors opened the scoring with a Greig Laidlaw penalty, but from then it was one-way traffic.
Wales scored seven tries, six after Hogg was dismissed, with wing George North and center Jamie Roberts grabbing two apiece.
This was Scotland’s third heaviest Test defeat of all time, with their previous worst in the Six Nations a 43-3 thrashing by England in 2001.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely