( CNN ) -- Ireland gave Brian O'Driscoll a dramatic farewell to international rugby by clinching the Six Nations title with a tense 22-20 victory over France in Paris on Saturday . The 35-year-old center was named man of the match in his record-extending 141st appearance at the highest level , as Ireland won the European tournament for the first time since 2009 . A French victory would have given the title to England , who thrashed Italy 52-11 in Rome earlier Saturday to end Les Bleus ' own hopes . France , beaten World Cup finalist in 2011 , could have denied the Irish after scoring a controversial 63rd-minute try to Dimitri Szarzewski -- but Jean Marc Doussain missed a routine penalty kick soon after . The video official missed a knock-on by Szarzewski when the hooker touched down , but the home fans were left frustrated when a late match-winning score in the corner was ruled out following several TV replays for a forward pass by Pascal Pape . `` It feels great to be a two-time Six Nations winner , '' O'Driscoll said after his team held off the furious French onslaught . `` So many seconds along the years and so many disappointments -- it 's 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 . `` It was last-leg stuff and I know now why I 'm packing it in because 80 minutes is a long bloody time at international level , particularly with guys like Mathieu Bastereaud running at you -- it 's no fun . '' It was Ireland 's first win in Paris since 2000 , which was also by a two-point margin . Fly-half Johnny Sexton was one of the heroes on this occasion , scoring two of Ireland 's three tries , but he was stretchered off with 10 minutes to go after being knocked out in a tackle . The victory margin gave Ireland the title by 10 points on differential from England , who won the two teams ' encounter 13-10 at Twickenham last month . `` Credit to Ireland -- they are deserved winners and it 's a fitting finale and sendoff for Brian O'Driscoll , a legend of the game whom everyone in this squad respects massively , '' said England head coach Stuart Lancaster . `` We always knew this was going to be one of the tightest Six Nations and go down to the wire . '' Wales finished third on differential above France , thrashing Scotland 51-3 in Cardiff .
Brian O'Driscoll bows out of international rugby as Ireland wins Six Nations title . Saturday 's two victory in Scotland ends England 's hopes of snatching the crown . The English finish third on differential after beating Rome 52-11 in Rome . Wales in third place above France after thrashing England 51-3 in Cardiff .