Dublin braced for mother of all grand slam parties

LONDON : Six Nations organisers have long revelled in promoting "Super Saturday" but the finale of this year's championship has surpassed their wildest dreams as Ireland face England seeking a grand slam that threatens to test even Dublin's party capacity.

It would be Ireland's fourth clean sweep but first achieved in Dublin, following Twickenham (2018), Cardiff (2009) and Belfast (1948).

Throw in the fact that the final match is against England, the team they most love to beat, and that it is on St Patrick's Day (March 17) weekend, then Ireland fans really don't know what to do with themselves as they count the hours.

Ireland lead the standings on 19 points, with France, the only team who can catch them, on 15. France host Wales a few hours earlier in the second game of the day and need to win to join Ireland on 19 or claim a bonus point to edge ahead on 20. Ireland currently enjoy a points difference advantage of 20.

However, such has been Ireland's advance in the last few years that now, as the undisputed world number one team, merely winning a 15th title but missing a grand slam would be viewed a massive failure.

That, however, is a scenario that looks unlikely as they go into Saturday's 1700GMT game on the back of four hugely impressive performances and against an England team reeling from last weekend's record 53-10 mauling by France.

Ireland's victory over Scotland last week really cemented them, and coach Andy Farrell, as a team with total faith in what they are doing. They held off a strong Scottish first-half assault and overcame a succession of injuries that might have derailed many a team to finish completely in control.

It set up the grand slam decider that will be the highlight of a celebratory weekend expected