22.03.2015 SECTION 2

Sport WHEN GIANTS McILROY AT BAY RED CARD FIASCO COLLIDE Rory falters as Stenson Ref sends off wrong Graeme Souness on takes charge p15 player at Man City p8 Liverpool v Man Utd p12

RBS SIX NATIONS Ireland win title on points difference PWDLPD PTS Ireland 5401+63 8 England 5401+578 Wales 5401+538 France 5203+2 4 Italy 5104-120 2 Scotland 5005-550

CHAMPIONS

Winning feeling: centre Jared Payne touches down to score Ireland’s third try in the 40-10 win over Scotland at Murrayfield, while, inset, Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton celebrate later by parading the Six Nations trophy Reports and analysis p2-7 Ireland pip England to title in thrilling finish

David Walsh laugh of the deathly nervous. The thing was that 14-point turnaround and cost Wales the score, but at the last moment they infringed at a on this wonderful afternoon in the Six Nations, championship. Ireland’s 40-10 victory over the ruck and Welsh referee Nigel Owens gave France CHIEF SPORTS WRITER perhaps the greatest day in the history of the Scots equalled their best-ever win at the penalty and Ireland had the title. THIRTY minutes into England’s epic encounter tournament, anything was possible. England Murrayfield and it seemed to set England an After joking that he hoped England couldn’t against the French at Twickenham, Ireland’s will wonder how they didn’t turn things their extremely tough task at Twickenham, where come back from 15-7 down and win by 26 coach Joe Schmidt sat in a marquee at way because they had chances. But so, too, had they had to beat the French by 26. Trailing 15-7 points, Schmidt had a better understanding of Murrayfield. He was being quizzed about Wales. Ireland won by the skin of their teeth. after 30 minutes, their assignment seemed the Six Nations championship an hour or so Ireland’s victory over the Scots when someone It began with Wales’s 61-20 victory over Italy, impossible. It was at that point they began to cut later. “England,” he said, “deserved a share of gave him an update on the game that would yet despite winning by 41 points the Welsh left the French defence to ribbons and 10 minutes the championship.” decide the RBS Six Nations Championship. Rome with a sense of what might have been. from the end they looked the likely champions. Sixty-five years has passed since Ireland last “France are 15-7 up, England need to win the Four minutes from the end their reserve scrum- It came down to the last play, England leading won back-to-back titles and they will treasure remaining 50 minutes by 34 points. Is it half Gareth Davies had a chance to score another 55-35 and needing six more points to take the this latest triumph as every rugby fan will possible?” Welsh try but fumbled. A minute later Leonardo title from Ireland. They drove from a lineout treasure the memories of an extraordinary day. “I hope not,” said Schmidt as he laughed the Sarto scored at the other end. It was a close to the French line and appeared likely to Now bring on the World Cup.

City want Wilshere as United eye £60m Pogba Mask fitting for Walters

Jonathan Northcroft training in a home association. The respective employees, Scott Sinclair and Micah 16 in September 2008, the midfielder is still Paul Rowan defeat by Crystal Palace at and Duncan Castles regulations have limited City’s squad size this Richards, are on loan with neither keen to to make his 100th Premier League the Britannia stadium and season with the club currently listing just six return to roles as permanent reserves. appearance for the club some seven seasons JONATHAN WALTERS is afterwards Hughes said MANCHESTER CITY are considering another homegrowns – Joe Hart, Gael Clichy, Frank As a result City have targeted the later and is again sidelined after ankle preparing to don a mask that Walters would travel high-profile raid on Arsenal by moving for Lampard, James Milner, Dedryck acquisition of at least two established surgery. for the international to Dublin. “Jon will be OK England midfielder Jack Wilshere. With the Boyata and third-choice goalkeeper homegrowns as part of the director of City’s local rivals have identified Paul against Poland next for Ireland. He wasn’t Premier League champions’ campaign in Richard Wright. football’s strategy to restructure City’s Pogba as their priority signing. Executing a week to protect a fit to play a full 90 danger of ending without silverware, City are Of that group, Lampard has a squad. A shortage of high-quality £60m deal for the midfielder is regarded as broken here but felt preparing an aggressive rebuild of their squad commitment to join new Major League Englishman in the Premier League essential to Louis Van Gaal’s rebuild at cheekbone after positive about with a particular focus on players developed Soccer franchise New York City in limits City’s options, although it is Manchester United. Van Gaal is set to be Stoke manager coming on,” by English clubs. In addition to increasing the summer, Milner is weighing his understood that Everton would backed heavily for a second successive Mark Hughes Hughes said. City’s count of domestically trained players to options as a free agent, Boyata has consider offers for both Ross summer transfer window and views confirmed that There was meet Premier and Champions League squad made just one League appearance Barkley and John Stones, while recruiting a powerful central midfielder, the striker was further good regulations, the 23-year-old Wilshere would this season, and Wright is out of Jordan Henderson, Raheem capable in the ‘No 6” role at the base of a available for news for Martin improve the age profile of a group that has contract having yet to play a senior Sterling and Saido Berahino are three-man midfield, as crucial. international selection. O’Neill as Hull City become weighted towards individuals in their fixture for City in three years at the all angling for improved United will also move for a centre-back Walters, who had an manager Steve Bruce said late 20s or early 30s. club. Two other English contracts. who is good in possession, and a right operation last week to he was hopeful of Robbie Both the Premier and Champions League Wilshere’s recruitment winger. Buying a new right-back and new repair the fracture, came Brady being fit for today’s limit competing clubs to a maximum of 17 would be both expensive and striker are also under consideration. The on wearing facial game against Chelsea and players over the age of 21 who have not spent Gunner go?:Jack Wilshere risky. Despite breaking into recruitment plans underline the security of protection in Stoke’s 2-1 the Poland tie. at least 36 months of their development is a target for City Arsenal’s first team at the age of Van Gaal’s position at Old Trafford.