Ireland fail to set up showdown while Wales must convince against France | Paul Rees

Mar 11, 2017

Robbie Henshaw’s blunder leaves Ireland hoping to merely be killjoys in Dublin, but despite their win Wales still have plenty to prove in Paris

After suffering successive championship defeats to Wales in Cardiff for the first time in 34 years, Ireland go into the final round of matches next Saturday in the position they were in 2011 – out to stop England winning the grand slam rather than tilting for the title.

There will be no winner-takes-all showdown at the Aviva Stadium between the two sides expected to dominate the Lions squad this summer as a season that started with the loudest of statements as the All Blacks were beaten in Chicago threatens to end in mute disappointment.

Tags: Ireland rugby union team Rugby union Six Nations Six Nations 2017 Sport Wales rugby union team