An Irish defeat could have offered the title to the Blues even before they set foot on the lawn of the Stade de France, but the XV of Clover fulfilled its part of the contract to maintain the suspense until the end.

Thanks to their fourth success in five matches, the Irish, only beaten by France (30-24), take control of the standings before the decisive "Crunch" in the evening.

They also win the "Triple Crown", an honorary title that is disputed each year in the Tournament by the four nations across the Channel.

Victorious over Wales (29-7), England (32-15) and therefore Scotland, Ireland had not lifted a trophy in front of their Dublin audience since 2004.

The joy of the Irish Josh van der Flier (c) and Jamison Gibson Park after a try scored by the first against Scotland, March 19, 2022 in Dublin PAUL FAITH AFP

His five bonus points (four offensive and one defensive) gleaned since the start of the Tournament, in each match, give him hope for an even more beautiful trophy in the event of a misstep by the Blues, put under pressure before facing England .

The Scots should finish the Tournament in fourth place, like the two previous years but with one more defeat.

A disappointment after their victory against the English (20-17) on the first day and the progress made in recent years.

The XV of Clover, who fell like France from New Zealand (29-20) during the November tests, was never seriously worried against a team that had little to hope for.

Jostled by the English last week in scrum, his first line was redeemed at Aviva Stadium with two tries in force in the first half, from young hooker Dan Sheehan after a carried ball and from the stainless pillar Cian Healy .

The XV du Chardon responded in the same style, with its pillar of South African origin Pierre Schoeman, but it fell on one of the most successful teams in the world today.

Two days after St. Patrick's Day, Ireland, sure of their strength, extended the party by winning with a bonus thanks to two more tries from third row Josh van der Flier and substitute scrum-half Conor Murray.

Scottish center Sam Johnson (d) attacking in front of Irish opener Jonathan Sexton, March 19, 2022 in Dublin Paul Faith AFP

Third in the Tournament in 2020 and 2021, she confirmed her rise to power under Englishman Andy Farrell, with an effective alliance between experienced players and new faces like scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park or winger James Lowe.

The Irish, for once, will now push behind the English to enhance their Triple Crown with a much more prestigious title.

© 2022 AFP