It was always an unlikely scenario that Ireland would fail to win the Championship after their 44-15 defeat of Scotland left England needing a 48-point margin of victory in Saint Nazaire to overtake the Irish into top spot.

And Allen Clarke’s team were left to celebrate a stunning success that disproves the theory that the senior side will struggle to replace the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 2009 Grand Slam.

Shining lights in their campaign included full-back Andrew Conway and fly-half James McKinney who chipped in with 19 points against Scotland.

But Clarke used his entire squad wisely and while the backs ran in the tries, the Irish pack won the majority of their set-piece confrontations.

At one stage the Championship looked unlikely after they lost 20-15 to France in their second-round confrontation.

But Ireland shocked title favourites England by turning them over 25-10 at Kingsholm in a smash-and-grab raid that sensational victory laid the foundations of the Championship success.