After a strong start to their 6 Nations 2024 title defence, Ireland are well set to write themselves into the history books. If they win their remaining two matches, Ireland will be the first team to record back-to-back Grand Slam titles in the Six Nations. They are knocking on the door, but can they get across the line?
Ireland’s 6 Nations 2024 performance to date
Ireland faced a major challenge right out of the gate in their Six Nations title defence. In Round 1, Andy Farrell’s men hopped across the Channel to take on France in Marseille. This is always one of the toughest away fixtures in the Six Nations for any team, but Ireland were up and running quickly in the match. Within half an hour, Ireland looked more like the home side – they had two converted tries on the board and had taken total control of the match.
With Les Bleus missing influential scrum-half Antoine Dupont, Ireland took their chances brilliantly, running in five tries in a 38-17 win. The unexpected bonus point for Ireland gave them the perfect platform to build on for the rest of their 6 Nations 2024 campaign. Their victory in France was a real statement.
Another bonus point came Ireland’s way as they powered past Italy 36-0 with six tries scored in their second fixture. This result was even more impressive as Italy would go on to draw with France in their next match. Round 3 then posed a more significant challenge at home for Ireland against a brave Welsh side in Dublin.
In previous rounds, Wales had already given Scotland and England a run for their money. While flawed in defence, the Welsh proved to have grit and attacking ability in defeats by no greater than two points against the Scottish and English.
However, against the green wall of the Irish defence, they could make no headway and only managed a penalty try in the match. Ireland cruised to a 31-7 win, thanks to four tries scored, which meant another bonus point was posted to their 6 Nations 2024 tally.
Can Ireland make Grand Slam history?
The back-to-back Grand Slam chance is firmly on the table for Ireland. It has never been done before in the Six Nations era, and a Six Nations title defence hasn’t been achieved since 2017, when England pulled it off. However, to achieve back-to-back Grand Slams would be taking things to a whole new level. Ireland do know what it is like to win back-to-back Six Nations titles – they did it in 2014 and 2015 – but will the added pressure of consecutive Grand Slams trip them up during the run-in?
Ireland have completed three previous Grand Slam campaigns, and if they pull it off again in 2024, they will move level at the top of the charts with Wales and France with four each. Ireland would also extend their Triple Crown record to 12 if they beat England and Scotland this year, as they currently stand one ahead of Scotland.
During the Five Nations era, back-to-back Grand Slams did happen. England were the first to do it in 1991 and 1992, with France also completing the full house in 1997 and 1999. Will Ireland be the first to break the barrier in the Six Nations era?
The next step – England v Ireland at Twickenham
Ireland will be taking things one step at a time, of course. The priority is securing the 6 Nations 2024 title, which they look well set to do. Interestingly, their final two matches will come against the two teams sitting inside the top three of the standings after three rounds of action.
England v Ireland at Twickenham is the blockbuster match on 9th March and the next step on Ireland’s journey. The statistics look good for the men in green, as they are on a four-match winning streak against England and a three-match streak in the Six Nations specifically.
Only one of the last three Six Nations meetings between England and Ireland was at Twickenham. That was in 2022 when Ireland secured a comfortable 32-15 win. However, this snapped a run of three straight defeats in all competitions for Ireland at the home of English rugby.
The last five Six Nations head-to-head
2023: Ireland 29-16 England
2022: England 15-32 Ireland
2021: Ireland 32-18 England
2020: England 24-12 Ireland
2019: Ireland 20-32 England
Ireland are a step ahead of everyone at the moment. They are cohesive, hit the gain line hard, and their backs are all on the same wavelength. England, in contrast, are in rebuild mode and were nearly defeated on their own turf by Wales in the last round.
Ireland head to London as the red-hot favourites to win the match. They have scored at least 29 points in each of their last four wins over England and have not shipped more than 18 in any of the victories.
Ireland have already scored at least twice as many tries this season as any other opposing team and have passed triple figures in match points scored in just three matches. Jack Crowley has been consistent with the boot and can punish England’s ill-discipline, while Dan Sheehan has been in devastating finishing form with four tries and the only player to have scored in every round of the six nations so far.
Ultimately, continuing their run of bonus point wins won’t matter much to Ireland, but claiming the victory at Twickenham will, of course. After England, Ireland will host Scotland in Dublin on 16th March, and what a party that could be.
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