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Cian Healy of Ireland is tackled by Sean Lamont and Graeme Morrison

Sting in the tail as revved-up visitors salvage some pride

Sometimes you come up against a team who are winless from four games and they go into their last assignment looking for it all to end as quickly as possible.

Wales give hint of true potential

By Andy Bull at the Millennium Stadium

If only Wales had finished the Six Nations in a similar shape and style to how they ended it. As it was, they have finished in fourth place for the second year in succession. Final position aside, though, the two campaigns could hardly have differed more.

England find extra gear to test French nerves

By Peter Bills in Paris

To France, a Grand Slam, their fifth in 13 years but first since 2004, -- oh, and a strong dose of sedatives to calm their shot nerves. To England, who came up so fast on the rails when they'd looked out of it at half time, a simple question: why the hell couldn't you play like this for the entire season?

Ireland's wake-up call

By BRENDAN FANNING

Ireland's tenancy at Croke Park ended with a certain symmetry yesterday, with a defeat that cost them silverware.

Hope and history don't always rhyme at Croker

By John O'Brien

IT was a wise old head who once said that no one in life could write their autobiography in advance. The course of life was far too unpredictable. And so it has been for Irish rugby. This team has arrived at a place that no one in their right mind could have foreseen a decade ago. Five years ago, maybe, you could detect signs that hinted at a certain direction. Nothing more clear-cut than that.

Script for final act torn up

It was goodbye to the Hill. And to the Hogan and the Cusack and Jones Road in general for that matter.

O'Connell admits Irish have only themselves to blame

By MARIE CROWE

Paul O'Connell wasn't making excuses after Ireland's shock defeat to Scotland at Croke Park yesterday. He admitted that when so many errors are made, games can't be won.

Triple Crown dream dies

By DANIEL McCONNELL Chief Reporter

Ireland saw their dream of a fifth Triple Crown in seven years dashed following a woeful performance which saw them slump to a 23-20 defeat to Scotland.

Kidney must learn lesson as set piece failure proves undoing

By George Hook

IT was hard to understand the accepted wisdom that Scotland would roll over to present Ireland with its fifth Triple Crown in seven years.

Slack Ireland simply didn't display hunger for the fight

The final championship table certainly doesn't read as we might have wished. It has not been a successful couple of months for Declan Kidney and his management team; and that's nothing at all to do with it being a post-Grand Slam year.

Inside Six Nations

Green machine is upwardly mobile

Even allowing for the fact that there has been a lot right with Irish rugby since the turn of the century, a return of nine wins from 12 starts against Wales is more comprehensive than you could have imagined when the tournament expanded to become the Six Nations.