News

Double delight sees Irish rugby ready to take on the world

IRELAND'S spectacular weekend of rugby success saw double delight for both its men and women players.

The victorious Irish rugby men's squad arrived home to a tumultuous welcome in Dublin last night after securing victory in the Six Nations championship for the second year in a row. Hundreds of fans gathered at Dublin airport to welcome home Joe Schmidt's side after they successfully defended their title in a fantastic 40-10 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

While there was no official homecoming planned, Schmidt said the team would enjoy a meal together in Dublin but go their own way shortly afterwards as several players had sporting commitments next weekend.

And in another extraordinary day of Irish rugby success, Ireland's women emulated their male counterparts victory by also securing the Six Nations title. They also crushed Scotland, this time by 70 points, to secure the title, far outstripping their need for a 27-point margin to take the trophy.

As the celebrations continued for both squads last night, Irish rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll said the Six Nations victory for the men could be the perfect platform to take the World Cup by storm later this year. "I think it sets us up really well," O'Driscoll said. "You always look at positives in any loss - the defeat to Wales might be a blessing in disguise. "In Ireland we don't do middle ground - we're either top of the pile or bottom of the heap." O'Driscoll, speaking on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme, reflected on a "crazy, crazy" afternoon of rugby, while former England skipper Will Carling labelled it "the most amazing day of Six Nations or Five Nations rugby I've ever seen".

Ireland sneaked to the title on Saturday on points-difference, after England failed to produce a 26-point victory over France, retaining the trophy for the first time since 1949.

But it was a tense wait for Schmidt's team, who had to wait for the final whistle from Twickenham to be confirmed as champions.

Captain Paul O'Connell yesterday revealed the team watched the England-France match in the company of the Scottish team they had just beaten.

They watched on nervously as England saw off France 55-35 at Twickenham, falling six points short of the margin required to take the title.

Three hours after beating Scotland and the Irish team's celebrations began, with many fans remaining at Murrayfield to see another chapter of sporting history unfold in front of them. Congratulations poured in following Ireland's first back-to-back championship wins since 1949.

President Michael D Higgins praised the players' "remarkable achievement". "All of us now look forward to the continuing success of this team at the World Cup later this year," he said.

Stormont sports minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: "Ireland have displayed great flair and imagination all season and their success is well merited. "Indeed it is all the more remarkable given the retirement of a number of high-profile players at the end of last season." Taoiseach Enda Kenny said congratulated the Irish men's squad on their "historic achievement of back-to-back Six

Nations championship victories". "I want to congratulate them on behalf of the Irish people and the government on their victory and thank them sincerely for providing such excitement and joy to Irish sports fans at home and abroad," he said. "We look forward now with hope and confidence to the World Cup later this year."