2023 Six Nations Championship Explained

2023 Six Nations Championship
Date:	4 February – 18 March 2023
Countries:
Count:	15
Grand Slam:	(4th title)
Triple Crown:	(13th title)
Matches:	15
Top Point Scorer:	Thomas Ramos (84 points)
Top Try Scorer:	Damian Penaud (5 tries)
Player Of The Tournament:	Antoine Dupont^[1]
Previous Year:	2022
Previous Tournament:	2022 Six Nations Championship
Next Year:	2024
Next Tournament:	2024 Six Nations Championship

The men's 2023 Six Nations Championship (known as the Guinness Six Nations for sponsorship reasons) was the 24th Six Nations Championship, an annual rugby union competition contested by the men's national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It was the 129th edition of the competition (including all its previous incarnations as the Home Nations Championship and Five Nations Championship). France entered the tournament as defending champions, having won the Grand Slam in 2022.

Ireland won the tournament for a 15th time, along with a 13th Triple Crown and a fourth Grand Slam; it was also the first time they won the title in Dublin.^[2] In beating England in their final game on 18 March, Ireland completed a full set of consecutive victories over all the other tier-one international sides.^[3] In total 91 tries were scored in the Championship, a Championship record.^[4]

Participants

Nation	Stadium			Head coach	Captain
	Home stadium	Capacity	Location
	Twickenham Stadium	82,000	London	Steve Borthwick	Owen Farrell
	Stade de France	81,338	Saint-Denis	Fabien Galthié	Antoine Dupont
	Aviva Stadium	51,700	Dublin	Andy Farrell	Johnny Sexton
	Stadio Olimpico	73,261	Rome	Kieran Crowley	Michele Lamaro
	Murrayfield Stadium	67,144	Edinburgh	Gregor Townsend	Jamie Ritchie
	Millennium Stadium	73,931	Cardiff	Warren Gatland	Ken Owens

Squads

See main article: 2023 Six Nations Championship squads.

Table

Table ranking rules^[5]

• Four points are awarded for a win.
• Two points are awarded for a draw.
• A bonus point is awarded to a team that scores four or more tries, or loses by seven points or fewer. If a team scores four or more tries, and loses by seven points or fewer, they are awarded both bonus points.
• Three bonus points are awarded to a team that wins all five of their matches (a Grand Slam). This ensures that a Grand Slam winning team would top the table with at least 23 points, as there would otherwise be a scenario where a team could win all five matches with no bonus points for a total of 20 points and another team could win four matches with bonus points and lose their fifth match while claiming one or more bonus points giving a total of 21 or 22 points.
• Tiebreakers
  • If two or more teams are tied on table points, the team with the better points difference (points scored less points conceded) is ranked higher.
  • If the above tiebreaker fails to separate tied teams, the team that scores the higher number of total tries (including penalty tries) in their matches is ranked higher.
  • If two or more teams remain tied after applying the above tiebreakers then those teams will be placed at equal rank; if the tournament has concluded and more than one team is placed first then the title will be shared between them.

Fixtures

The tournament's fixtures were announced on 20 April 2022.^[6] There were no Friday night fixtures. Other than the final weekend, the three kick-off time slots were the same each weekend of the tournament.

Round 1

FB 15 RW 14 Josh Adams OC 13 George North IC 12 Joe Hawkins LW 11 FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 Taulupe Faletau OF 7 BF 6 Jac Morgan RL 5 LL 4 Adam Beard TP 3 HK 2 Ken Owens (c) LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 WG 23 Coach: Warren Gatland

FB 15 Hugo Keenan RW 14 Mack Hansen OC 13 Garry Ringrose IC 12 LW 11 James Lowe FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c) SH 9 N8 8 Caelan Doris OF 7 Josh van der Flier BF 6 RL 5 James Ryan LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Andy Farrell

Player of the Match: Hugo Keenan (Ireland) Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia) Luke Pearce (England) Television match official: Tom Foley (England)

Notes:

• Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) was originally named at full-back, but he was replaced by Liam Williams ahead of the match, after suffering a back spasm in training.^[7]
• Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) was originally named at scrum-half, but withdrew on the day of the match due to injury. He was replaced in the starting line-up by Conor Murray, whose place in the bench was taken by Craig Casey.^[8]
• Cian Healy (Ireland) was originally named among the replacements, but withdrew on the day of the match due to injury. His place was taken by Dave Kilcoyne.^[8]
• Ireland won at the Millennium Stadium in a Six Nations match for the first time since 2013.

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FB 15 Freddie Steward RW 14 Max Malins OC 13 IC 12 Owen Farrell (c) LW 11 FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 BF 6 RL 5 Ollie Chessum LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 Jack Walker PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 CE 22 WG 23 Coach: Steve Borthwick

FB 15 RW 14 Kyle Steyn OC 13 IC 12 Sione Tuipulotu LW 11 Duhan van der Merwe FH 10 Finn Russell SH 9 N8 8 Matt Fagerson OF 7 BF 6 Jamie Ritchie (c) RL 5 LL 4 Richie Gray TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Gregor Townsend

Player of the Match: Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) James Doleman (New Zealand) Television match official: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

Notes:

• Ollie Hassell-Collins (England) made his international debut.^[9]
• Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup.
• Scotland won three consecutive games against England for the first time since 1972, and registered successive away wins against England for the first time since 1909.^[10]
• With this win, Scotland moved up to fifth in the World Rugby Rankings, equalling their highest position, last set in May 2018.^[11]

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FB 15 Ange Capuozzo RW 14 OC 13 Ignacio Brex IC 12 Luca Morisi LW 11 Tommaso Menoncello FH 10 Tommaso Allan SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Michele Lamaro (c) BF 6 RL 5 Federico Ruzza LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 FL 21 SH 22 FB 23 Coach: Kieran Crowley

FB 15 Thomas Ramos RW 14 Damian Penaud OC 13 Gaël Fickou IC 12 Yoram Moefana LW 11 Ethan Dumortier FH 10 SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c) N8 8 OF 7 BF 6 Anthony Jelonch RL 5 LL 4 Thibaud Flament TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 LK 20 Thomas Lavault FL 21 SH 22 Nolann Le Garrec FH 23 Coach: Fabien Galthié

Player of the Match: Antoine Dupont (France) Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia) Jordan Way (Australia) Television match official: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Notes:

• Edoardo Iachizzi (Italy) and Ethan Dumortier (France) made their international debuts.^[12]
• France retained the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy.

Round 2

FB 15 Hugo Keenan RW 14 Mack Hansen OC 13 Garry Ringrose IC 12 LW 11 James Lowe FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c) SH 9 N8 8 Caelan Doris OF 7 Josh van der Flier BF 6 RL 5 James Ryan LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Andy Farrell

FB 15 RW 14 Damian Penaud OC 13 Gaël Fickou IC 12 LW 11 Ethan Dumortier FH 10 Romain Ntamack SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c) N8 8 OF 7 BF 6 Anthony Jelonch RL 5 LL 4 Thibaud Flament TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 FL 21 SH 22 Baptiste Couilloud FH 23 Coach: Fabien Galthié

Player of the Match: Caelan Doris (Ireland) Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) Jordan Way (Australia) Television match official: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

Notes:

• Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter and James Ryan (all Ireland) earned their 50th international test caps.^[13]
• Prior to this game, Ireland were ranked 1st in the men's World Rugby Rankings and France were 2nd, the first time that a Six Nations Championship match had brought the world's top two teams together.^{[14] [15]}
• This was Ireland's 13th consecutive win at home, their longest consecutive run of home victories.^[16]
• Ireland brought to an end France's 14-match unbeaten run dating back to November 2021.^[17]

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FB 15 RW 14 Kyle Steyn OC 13 Huw Jones IC 12 LW 11 Duhan van der Merwe FH 10 Finn Russell SH 9 N8 8 Matt Fagerson OF 7 BF 6 Jamie Ritchie (c) RL 5 LL 4 Richie Gray TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Gregor Townsend

FB 15 RW 14 OC 13 IC 12 Joe Hawkins LW 11 Rio Dyer FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Tommy Reffell BF 6 Christ Tshiunza RL 5 Adam Beard LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 Ken Owens (c) LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 WG 23 Coach: Warren Gatland

Player of the Match: Finn Russell (Scotland) Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ireland) Chris Busby (Ireland) Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)

Notes:

• Rhys Davies (Wales) made his international debut.^[18]
• Stuart Hogg (Scotland) earned his 100th international cap (98 for Scotland, 2 for the British & Irish Lions).^[19]
• This was Scotland's biggest win over Wales, surpassing the 25-point winning margin set in 1924.^[20]
• Scotland won back-to-back matches in the opening rounds of the Six Nations for the first time.^[21]
• Wales lost their opening two Six Nations games for the first time since 2007.^[22]
• Scotland reclaimed the Doddie Weir Cup.^[23]

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FB 15 Freddie Steward RW 14 Max Malins OC 13 IC 12 Ollie Lawrence LW 11 FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 BF 6 Lewis Ludlam RL 5 Ollie Chessum LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 FB 23 Coach: Steve Borthwick

FB 15 Ange Capuozzo RW 14 Edoardo Padovani OC 13 Ignacio Brex IC 12 LW 11 Tommaso Menoncello FH 10 Tommaso Allan SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Michele Lamaro (c) BF 6 RL 5 Federico Ruzza LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 FL 21 SH 22 WG 23 Coach: Kieran Crowley

Player of the Match: Ollie Lawrence (England) Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France) Tual Trainini (France) Television match official: Eric Gauzins (France)

Notes:

• Jack Walker (England) made his international debut.^[24]
• Dan Cole (England) earned his 100th international cap (97 for England, 3 for the British & Irish Lions).

Round 3

FB 15 Ange Capuozzo RW 14 Edoardo Padovani OC 13 Ignacio Brex IC 12 LW 11 Pierre Bruno FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Michele Lamaro (c) BF 6 Sebastian Negri RL 5 Federico Ruzza LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 CE 22 FH 23 Coach: Kieran Crowley

FB 15 Hugo Keenan RW 14 Mack Hansen OC 13 Bundee Aki IC 12 LW 11 James Lowe FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Josh van der Flier BF 6 Caelan Doris RL 5 James Ryan (c) LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 WG 23 Coach: Andy Farrell

Player of the Match: Mack Hansen (Ireland) Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England) Craig Evans (Wales) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Notes:

• Garry Ringrose (Ireland) was originally named to start at outside centre, but withdrew the day before the match due to injury. He was replaced in the starting line-up by Stuart McCloskey, who started at inside centre with Bundee Aki moving to outside centre. McCloskey's place on the bench was taken by Jimmy O'Brien.^[25]

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FB 15 Leigh Halfpenny RW 14 OC 13 Mason Grady IC 12 Joe Hawkins LW 11 Louis Rees-Zammit FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 Taulupe Faletau OF 7 Justin Tipuric BF 6 RL 5 LL 4 Adam Beard TP 3 HK 2 Ken Owens (c) LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Warren Gatland

FB 15 Freddie Steward RW 14 OC 13 Henry Slade IC 12 Ollie Lawrence LW 11 Anthony Watson FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 BF 6 Lewis Ludlam RL 5 Ollie Chessum LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 FB 23 Coach: Steve Borthwick

Player of the Match: Freddie Steward (England) Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland) Chris Busby (Ireland) Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)

Notes:

• Mason Grady (Wales) made his international debut.^[26]
• England won in Cardiff for the first time since their 21–16 victory in 2017.^[27]
• Wales fell to tenth in the World Rugby Rankings, equalling their worst-ever placement.^[28]

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FB 15 Thomas Ramos RW 14 Damian Penaud OC 13 Gaël Fickou IC 12 Yoram Moefana LW 11 Ethan Dumortier FH 10 SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c) N8 8 OF 7 Charles Ollivon BF 6 RL 5 LL 4 Thibaud Flament TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 FL 21 Sekou Macalou SH 22 Baptiste Couilloud FH 23 Coach: Fabien Galthié

FB 15 Stuart Hogg RW 14 OC 13 Huw Jones IC 12 Sione Tuipulotu LW 11 Duhan van der Merwe FH 10 Finn Russell SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 BF 6 Jamie Ritchie (c) RL 5 LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 LK 20 FL 21 SH 22 FH 23 Coach: Gregor Townsend

Player of the Match: Gaël Fickou (France) Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) Andrea Piardi (Italy) Television match official: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Notes:

• France retained the Auld Alliance Trophy.
• Mohamed Haouas (France) became the first player to receive two career red cards in Six Nations Championship matches, his first also coming against Scotland in 2020.^[29]
• This was the 100th meeting between France and Scotland.^[30]

Round 4

FB 15 Tommaso Allan RW 14 Edoardo Padovani OC 13 Ignacio Brex IC 12 LW 11 FH 10 Paolo Garbisi SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Michele Lamaro (c) BF 6 RL 5 Federico Ruzza LL 4 Niccolò Cannone TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 FL 21 SH 22 CE 23 Coach: Kieran Crowley

FB 15 RW 14 OC 13 Mason Grady IC 12 Joe Hawkins LW 11 Rio Dyer FH 10 Owen Williams SH 9 N8 8 Taulupe Faletau OF 7 Justin Tipuric BF 6 RL 5 LL 4 Adam Beard TP 3 HK 2 Ken Owens (c) LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 CE 22 WG 23 Coach: Warren Gatland

Player of the Match: Rhys Webb (Wales) Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) Chris Busby (Ireland) Television match official: Joy Neville (Ireland)

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FB 15 Freddie Steward RW 14 OC 13 IC 12 LW 11 Anthony Watson FH 10 Marcus Smith SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 BF 6 Lewis Ludlam RL 5 Ollie Chessum LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 HK 2 Jamie George LP 1 Ellis Genge (c) Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 FB 23 Coach: Steve Borthwick

FB 15 Thomas Ramos RW 14 Damian Penaud OC 13 Gaël Fickou IC 12 LW 11 Ethan Dumortier FH 10 SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c) N8 8 Grégory Alldritt OF 7 BF 6 François Cros RL 5 LL 4 Thibaud Flament TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 CE 22 FB 23 Coach: Fabien Galthié

Player of the Match: Thomas Ramos (France) Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Andrea Piardi (Italy) Television match official: Brett Cronan (Australia)

Notes:

• France won against England at Twickenham for the first time since 2007, and in a Six Nations match at Twickenham for the first time since 2005.^[31]
• France scored their most points against England (previously 37 points in 1972) to set a new record winning margin over England (previously 25 last set in 2006).
• This was England's heaviest defeat at home (43-point difference), surpassing the 36 points to South Africa in 2008, and was the most points they had conceded at home, surpassing the 42 points conceded in the same game.^[32]
• This was England's heaviest defeat in any Home, Five or Six Nations match, surpassing the 43–13 loss to Ireland in 2007, and the most points conceded (surpassing the same game).

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FB 15 RW 14 Kyle Steyn OC 13 Huw Jones IC 12 Sione Tuipulotu LW 11 Duhan van der Merwe FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 Jack Dempsey OF 7 Jamie Ritchie (c) BF 6 RL 5 Jonny Gray LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Gregor Townsend

FB 15 Hugo Keenan RW 14 Mack Hansen OC 13 IC 12 LW 11 James Lowe FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c) SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Josh van der Flier BF 6 Peter O'Mahony RL 5 James Ryan LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Andrew Porter Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Andy Farrell

Player of the Match: Mack Hansen (Ireland) Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England) Christophe Ridley (England) Television match official: Stuart Terheege (England)

Notes:

• Stuart Hogg (Scotland) became the fourth Scotsman to earn his 100th test cap for Scotland.^[33]
• Garry Ringrose (Ireland) earned his 50th international test cap.
• Johnny Sexton (Ireland) matched Ronan O'Gara's record as the leading point scorer in Six Nations Championship (557 points).^[34]
• Ireland retained the Centenary Quaich.
• Ireland become the first team to record 80 wins across all editions of the Six Nations Championship.

Round 5

FB 15 RW 14 Kyle Steyn OC 13 Huw Jones IC 12 LW 11 Duhan van der Merwe FH 10 Blair Kinghorn SH 9 N8 8 Jack Dempsey OF 7 BF 6 Jamie Ritchie (c) RL 5 LL 4 Sam Skinner TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 CE 23 Coach: Gregor Townsend

FB 15 Tommaso Allan RW 14 Pierre Bruno OC 13 Ignacio Brex IC 12 LW 11 FH 10 Paolo Garbisi SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Michele Lamaro (c) BF 6 RL 5 Federico Ruzza LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 FL 21 SH 22 CE 23 Coach: Kieran Crowley

Player of the Match: Jack Dempsey (Scotland) Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) Craig Evans (Wales) Television match official: Brett Cronan (Australia)

Notes:

• Ben Healy (Scotland), Simone Gesi and Marco Manfredi (both Italy) made their international debuts.^[35]
• Tommaso Menoncello (Italy) had been named to start but withdrew ahead of the game and was replaced by Luca Morisi and Marco Zanon replaced Morisi on the bench.
• Scotland retained the Cuttitta Cup.

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FB 15 Thomas Ramos RW 14 Damian Penaud OC 13 Gaël Fickou IC 12 Jonathan Danty LW 11 FH 10 Romain Ntamack SH 9 Antoine Dupont (c) N8 8 Grégory Alldritt OF 7 BF 6 François Cros RL 5 LL 4 Thibaud Flament TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 CE 22 FB 23 Melvyn Jaminet Coach: Fabien Galthié

FB 15 RW 14 Josh Adams OC 13 George North IC 12 Nick Tompkins LW 11 Rio Dyer FH 10 SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Justin Tipuric BF 6 Aaron Wainwright RL 5 LL 4 Adam Beard TP 3 HK 2 Ken Owens (c) LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 FB 23 Coach: Warren Gatland

Player of the Match: Romain Ntamack (France) Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland) Christophe Ridley (England) Television match official: Joy Neville (Ireland)

Notes:

• Taulupe Faletau (Wales) became the eighth Welshman to earn 100 test caps for Wales.^[36]
• Uini Atonio (France) and Dillon Lewis (Wales) earned their 50th test caps.
• France scored their most points against Wales when at home, surpassing the 38 points scored in 2020.
• George North (Wales) surpassed Shane Williams's record of 22 Six Nations tries to become Wales' top try scorer in the Six Nations.
• France surpass their record of 18 tries scored in a Six Nations campaign set in 2006 and 2021 and surpass their own record of 156 points scored in a campaign set in 2002.
• Wales surpass their worst defensive record in a Six Nations campaign, conceding a total of 19 tries. It was previously 18 tries conceded in 2002.

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FB 15 RW 14 Mack Hansen OC 13 Robbie Henshaw IC 12 Bundee Aki LW 11 James Lowe FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c) SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 Josh van der Flier BF 6 RL 5 James Ryan LL 4 TP 3 HK 2 LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 N8 20 SH 21 FH 22 FB 23 Coach: Andy Farrell

FB 15 RW 14 Anthony Watson OC 13 Henry Slade IC 12 Manu Tuilagi LW 11 FH 10 Owen Farrell (c) SH 9 N8 8 OF 7 BF 6 Lewis Ludlam RL 5 LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 HK 2 Jamie George LP 1 Replacements: HK 16 Jack Walker PR 17 PR 18 LK 19 FL 20 SH 21 FH 22 Marcus Smith CE 23 Coach: Steve Borthwick

Player of the Match: Dan Sheehan (Ireland) Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) Pierre Brousset (France) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Notes:

• Dan Cole (England) became the fourth player to earn 100 test caps for England.^[37]
• Freddie Steward was contentiously sent off during the game following a collision with Hugo Keenan. The red card was later rescinded by a World Rugby citing committee as they ruled that referee Jaco Peyper and his team were wrong to have sent Steward off. ^[38]
• Josh van der Flier (Ireland) earned his 50th test cap.^[39]
• Ireland won the Championship for the 15th time and a fourth Grand Slam, their first won at home since 1948 and a first home Championship win since 1985.^[40]
• Ireland became the first team to win the Triple Crown in back-to-back consecutive years since they last did it in 2006 and 2007.^[41]
• Ireland became the first nation to see their senior men's side and under-20s' side win the Grand Slam in the same year.^[42]
• Johnny Sexton (Ireland) surpassed Ronan O'Gara's record of 557 points scored in the Six Nations to become the competition's all-time leading point scorer.^[43]
• Ireland retained the Millennium Trophy.

Player statistics

Most points

Rank	Name	Team	Points
1	Thomas Ramos		84
2	Johnny Sexton		35
3	Tommaso Allan		34
4	Finn Russell		32
5	Owen Farrell		28
6	Blair Kinghorn		26
7	Damian Penaud		25
8	Huw Jones		20
9	Ross Byrne		16
10	Thibaud Flament		15
	Mack Hansen
	James Lowe
	Duhan van der Merwe

Most tries

Rank	Name	Team	Tries
1	Damian Penaud		5
2	Huw Jones		4
	Blair Kinghorn
4	Thibaud Flament		3
	Mack Hansen
	James Lowe
	Thomas Ramos
	Duhan van der Merwe
9	Ethan Dumortier		2
	Rio Dyer
	Gaël Fickou
	Jamie George
	Hugo Keenan
	Max Malins
	Charles Ollivon
	James Ryan
	Dan Sheehan
	Kyle Steyn
	Liam Williams

Broadcasting

In the United Kingdom, each game was broadcast live on a free-to-air terrestrial TV channel, either the BBC or ITV, as a result of a new deal covering the four years from 2022 to 2025. All of Wales' games were also broadcast on S4C in the Welsh language^[44]

In the Republic of Ireland, all games were shown free-to-air on either RTÉ or Virgin Media under the terms of the new TV rights share.^[45]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Antoine Dupont: France captain named Six Nations player of the championship. 29 March 2023. BBC Sport. 5 April 2023. 5 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405151800/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65115866. live.
2. Web site: Kitson . Robert . 18 March 2023 . Ireland clinch Six Nations grand slam after victory over 14-man England . 20 March 2023 . The Guardian . 20 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320060743/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/18/ireland-england-six-nations-rugby-union-match-report . live .
3. Web site: Gault . Matt . 18 March 2023 . Ireland 29-16 England - Irish seal Grand Slam in Dublin . 20 March 2023 . BBC Sport . 19 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319114633/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/64992479 . live .
4. Web site: Six Nations 2023: The top try-scorer, best try-scoring team and vote for your favourite try. 20 March 2023. BBC Sport. 20 March 2023. 20 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320115311/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65004382. live.
5. Web site: Rules . sixnationsrugby.com . Six Nations Rugby . 26 September 2022 . 26 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926114347/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/rules/ . live .
6. Web site: 20 April 2022. Guinness Six Nations fixtures announced for 2023 Championship. 20 April 2022. Six Nations Rugby. 20 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220420094616/https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2022/04/20/2023-guinness-six-nations-fixtures-announced/. live.
7. Web site: Ben . James . Leigh Halfpenny out of Wales v Ireland as replacement named . Wales Online . 2 February 2023 . 2 February 2023 . 2 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202124658/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/leigh-halfpenny-out-wales-v-26139638 . live .
8. News: O'Connor . Ruaidhri . 4 February 2023 . Conor Murray starts against Wales as Jamison Gibson-Park ruled out and Dave Kilcoyne replaces Cian Healy . 4 February 2023 . Irish Independent . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204132709/https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/conor-murray-starts-against-wales-as-jamison-gibson-park-ruled-out-and-dave-kilcoyne-replaces-cian-healy-42327640.html . live .
9. News: Grey . Becky . 2 February 2023 . Six Nations 2023: Ollie Hassell-Collins to make England debut against Scotland . 3 February 2023 . BBC Sport . 2 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202225607/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64500383 . live .
10. Web site: Phillips . Mitch . UPDATE 2-Rugby-Scotland stun England at Twickenham again . Reuters . 6 February 2023 . 4 February 2023 . 6 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206112052/https://www.reuters.com/article/rugby-union-nations-eng-sco-idUKL1N34K0CE . live .
11. Web site: Scotland equal all-time high in World Rugby Men's Rankings powered by Capgemini . World Rugby . 13 February 2023 . 6 February 2023 . 9 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209081245/https://www.world.rugby/news/784804/scotland-equal-all-time-high-in-world-rugby-mens-rankings-powered-by-capgemini . live .
12. News: Six Nations 2023: Italy v France - Ethan Dumortier to make debut for champions . BBC Sport . 3 February 2023 . 3 February 2023 . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203153112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64514283 . live .
13. News: Lewis . Simon . 10 February 2023 . Andy Farrell praises 50 cap forward trio . 10 February 2023 . Irish Examiner . 10 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230210021155/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-41068109.html . live .
14. Web site: Six Nations: Ireland put top World Rugby ranking on the line versus France . Jared . Wright . 10 February 2023 . Planet Rugby . 11 February 2023 . 11 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230211141948/https://www.planetrugby.com/news/six-nations-ireland-put-their-number-one-world-rugby-ranking-on-the-line-against-france . live .
15. Web site: Farrell urges Ireland to tackle France 'full on' in Six Nations global summit . Andy . Bull . 10 February 2023 . The Guardian . 11 February 2023 . 11 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230211141946/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/10/six-nations-ireland-france-andy-farrell-dublin-preview . live .
16. News: 11 February 2023 . 'Unbelievably proud' – Ireland coach Farrell celebrates record-setting win over France . 14 February 2023 . SportsMax . 10 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240210035253/https://www.sportsmax.tv/other-sports/column2/rugby/item/114243-unbelievably-proud-ireland-coach-farrell-celebrates-record-setting-win-over-france . live .
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26. News: James . Steve . 23 February 2023 . Wales v England: Mason Grady gets debut as Wales go back to the old faces . 24 February 2023 . The Times . 24 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230224070718/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wales-v-england-mason-grady-gets-debut-as-wales-go-back-to-the-old-faces-9klg37crz . live .
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29. News: Mohamed Haouas defended by coach after becoming first player to get two Six Nations red cards . Stuff . 27 February 2023 . 5 March 2023 . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305231333/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/131344007/mohamed-haouas-defended-by-coach-after-becoming-first-player-to-get-two-six-nations-red-cards . live .
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31. Web site: Mann . Mantej . 11 March 2023 . Hosts slump to record home defeat against Six Nations holders . 13 March 2023 . BBC Sport . 12 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230312133408/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/64928055 . live .
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34. Web site: Aylwin . Michael . 12 March 2023 . Hansen keeps Ireland on course for grand slam with win over Scotland . 13 March 2023 . The Guardian . 13 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313000517/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/12/scotland-ireland-six-nations-match-report . live .
35. News: Bean . Graham . 16 March 2023 . Ben Healy set for Scotland debut against Italy after Finn Russell is ruled out by injury . 16 March 2023 . The Scotsman . 16 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316205209/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-scotland-set-to-turn-to-ben-healy-after-finn-russell-is-ruled-out-of-italy-match-4061972 . live .
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39. News: Kinsella . Murray . 17 March 2023 . 'He's goal-kicking this weekend' - Van der Flier set to hit 50 mark . 17 March 2023 . The42 . 17 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317100957/https://www.the42.ie/josh-van-der-flier-5-6021631-Mar2023/ . live .
40. Web site: Kelly . David . 20 March 2023 . Irish cast aside weight of history to find escape in Grand Slam success . 20 March 2023 . Irish Independent . 20 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320093903/https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/irish-cast-aside-weight-of-history-to-find-escape-in-grand-slam-success-42394695.html . live .
41. Web site: Ireland beat 14-man England in finale to win Six Nations Grand Slam. 20 March 2023. ESPN. 20 March 2023. 19 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230319154808/https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/report?gameId=596219&league=180659. live.
42. Web site: Ireland U20s march to successive Grand Slam titles. 19 March 2023. RTE Sport. 20 March 2023. 20 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320115527/https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2023/0319/1364120-ireland-u20s-march-to-successive-grand-slam-titles/. live.
43. Web site: Cantillon . Michael . 18 March 2023 . Ireland 29-16 England: Hosts claim historic Six Nations Grand Slam in Dublin after Freddie Steward red card . 20 March 2023 . Sky Sports . 20 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320115529/https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/ireland-vs-england/102879 . live .
44. Web site: S4C to show Wales's Six Nations matches for next four years. 7 December 2021. 20 March 2023. 24 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211224130922/https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/46946/s4c-to-show-waless-six-nations-matches-for-next-four-years/. live.
45. Web site: RTÉ and Virgin Media's Six Nations rights share: here's which games are on each station. 19 January 2022. The42. 19 January 2022. 19 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119130722/https://www.the42.ie/which-channel-six-nations-2022-tv-guide-rte-virgin-media-5658733-Jan2022/. live.