article_snippet: There was a collective cheer in Italy, Ireland and England because Ireland gave the latter two countries a chance.
article_snippet: and they did Ireland — far better than they hosts.
article_snippet: Ireland were crowned Six Nations winners after a dramatic final day that saw they edge England and Wales .
article_snippet: Both England and Ireland had targets
article_snippet: England and Ireland knew England and Ireland had to win by to have a chance of lifting the Six Nations trophy.
article_snippet: This very rarely happens in rugby and I thought this might mean rugby focus would be on scoring tries rather than playing the game in the normal safety-first manner.
article_snippet: England did adopt this approach and England ultimately cost rugby but Ireland were able to operate a normal game plan, mainly because of how Scotland were playing.
article_snippet: It was an exciting first half where Ireland dominated the early stages
article_snippet: England beat France 55-35 at Twickenham but England wasn't enough to overhaul Ireland .
article_snippet: With that thumping victory, Ireland set England a target of 26 points that Wales had to win by to snatch the trophy.
article_snippet: The difference in this game was that France really did come to the party and easily produced the party best performance of the Six Nations.
article_snippet: Mind you, so did England — and 90 points scored tells you that the attack was very much on top with defence an optional extra at times.
article_snippet: England England came within a metre and six points of winning the Six Nations was incredible and the drama was off the scale.
article_snippet: When France won a penalty after 80 minutes had passed, the whole of Ireland celebrated but the drama was not over.
article_snippet: When the dust settled, Ireland were crowned Six Nations champions but huge credit goes to England, Wales and France for Wales and France contribution to an incredible day.
article_snippet: As for Scotland and Italy, Wales and France contributed as well but in a very different way.
highlights_snippet: Ireland beat Scotland 40-10 at Murrayfield on Saturday .
  