Eddie Jones described a Grand Slam as an opportunity to “beat your chest a little bit” before his England clinched one on the last day of the Six Nations in Paris 10 years ago. This is the Championship where winning the title is never quite enough. The contrast with the scenes 12 months earlier, when Ireland beat England to claim their fifth win of the spring, was palpable. Andy Farrell had described the prospect of doing that Slam at home against England, on St Patrick’s week, as the stuff “dreams are made of”. Just think of this Six Nations and the speed with which fortunes and perceptions have changed.

Source: Irish Examiner March 11, 2026 18:53 UTC