Tommy Bowe column: 'Emphatic Grand Slam triumph sets Ireland up for World Cup tilt'

It whitethorn not person been a vintage display, but erstwhile it came down to it, Ireland got the occupation done against England. And erstwhile there's a Grand Slam connected the line, that's each that truly matters.

There was a large ambiance astir the Aviva Stadium, and it's days similar that erstwhile you spot however the federation has been lifted by this team. Johnny Sexton has been cardinal to that, and the Irish skipper thankfully got the Six Nations send-off helium deserved.

But portion Ireland volition rightly soak up the plaudits, you person to springiness England credit. Steve Borthwick's broadside were astatine a debased ebb aft a crushing decision by France astatine Twickenham, but they showed plentifulness of combat and made it awkward for Ireland.

England were lone 4 points down erstwhile Freddie Steward was sent disconnected for colliding with Hugo Keenan. By the missive of the law, it was astir apt the close call, but it's different incidental that shows the request for a 20-minute reddish paper successful rugby. Super Rugby has been trialling it, but World Rugby indispensable see a planetary trial.

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In saying that, however, I would person been assured of an Ireland triumph against a 15-man England. There is thing peculiar astir this Irish side. They ever find a mode to win. It's what acceptable them isolated successful the Six Nations. For them, the World Cup can't travel soon enough.

It's pugnacious to prime Ireland's subordinate of the tournament. I deliberation James Ryan and Mack Hansen were some exceptional, portion Caelan Doris whitethorn good extremity up getting the grant for his outstanding form.

But for me, Hugo Keenan has been the standout Irish player. He was progressive successful truthful galore captious moments. His effort against France springs to mind, arsenic bash his try-saving tackles to contradict Wales' Rio Dyer and Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe, the second being a existent turning constituent for Ireland astatine Murrayfield.

Crucial successful some onslaught and defence, you tin spot wherefore Farrell has truthful overmuch religion successful him.

Beyond Ireland, the astir memorable infinitesimal of the title for maine was Damian Penaud's effort that took France past the 50-point people against England. I'm not definite we'll ever spot thing similar that lucifer again and it showed maine that France are backmost and mean business.

It's important for bluish hemisphere rugby to person some Ireland and France flying precocious heading into the World Cup.

As for the biggest disappointment, I'd person to spell with Italy not being capable to capitalise connected their aboriginal form. They showed committedness against France and Ireland but erstwhile propulsion came to shove, they failed to marque a connection against Scotland and Wales and didn't play the benignant of rugby we cognize they are susceptible of producing.

Ireland person present won 3 Grand Slams successful the past 14 years, but this year's was the astir emphatic and impressive. The 2009 Slam was a peculiar clip due to the fact that we hadn't done it successful 61 years. In 2018, the squad were large but you retrieve Sexton digging them retired of a spread with the drop-goal successful Paris.

Sexton was truthful influential that twelvemonth whereas this clip circular they conscionable look to beryllium ticking each container and the full squad look to beryllium operating astatine an wholly antithetic level. Some whitethorn suggest Ireland person peaked excessively early, but I'm not definite astir that.

What I americium definite astir is that we're getting towards the constituent of calling this the top Irish rugby squad of each time.

Winning the Grand Slam was important, but beating the All Blacks successful a Test bid successful New Zealand is inactive this team's biggest achievement, portion the value of defeating South Africa and Australia successful the autumn should not beryllium discounted.

There is, of course, 1 mode to enactment the 'greatest ever' statement to furniture and that accidental volition travel successful France aboriginal this year.

With the lunacy of the World Cup gully putting the apical 5 sides successful the aforesaid broadside of the draw, it volition instrumentality a monumental propulsion for Ireland to assistance the Webb Ellis Cup.

Scotland and South Africa volition beryllium formidable excavation opponents and adjacent if they flooded them, France oregon New Zealand could basal successful the mode of a first-ever semi-final appearance.

But Andy Farrell and his coaching unit person built a squad who are seldom fazed and who person achieved everything they acceptable retired to execute implicit the past year.

It ever felt similar the Six Nations was a large measurement successful this Ireland journey. But having passed the five-part trial with flying colours, they determination connected to a tourney that volition genuinely find this team's legacy.

Tommy Bowe was speaking to BBC Sport NI's Matt Gault