Ireland kicked off their Six Nations campaign in perfect fashion with a dominant 38-17 win over France in Marseille on Friday evening. The victory has sparked talk of a second successive Grand Slam, a feat not achieved in the Six Nations era since France did it in 1997 and 1998.
Ireland have won three Grand Slams in the last 15 years (2009, 2018 and 2023), and have only won back-to-back Six Nations titles once (2014 and 2015). However, with only one away game remaining, a second Grand Slam in as many years is a live possibility.
Next up for Ireland is Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. The Italians put up a decent fight against England on matchday one but should be no match for an Ireland side that have won 30 of their last 33 games. After a two-week break, Wales come to town looking for their first Six Nations win in Ireland since 2012, but they are not expected to pose much of a threat.
Ireland's penultimate match is their only remaining away fixture, against England at Twickenham on March 9th. Ireland have beaten England on two of their last three visits in the Six Nations. A return to the Aviva Stadium and a battle with Scotland on March 16th rounds off their campaign. Scotland have never beaten Ireland at the Aviva, with their last victory on Irish soil coming at Croke Park in 2010.
