Leinster were unable to shed their losing habit in Investec Champions Cup finals after they were edged 31-22 by Toulouse with only extra time separating the rivals at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The two most successful teams in the competition’s history went toe to toe in a thunderous collision with the boot of Thomas Ramos proving decisive for the French side.
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Ireland remain on course for a 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam, but made heavy weather of a 34-20 Round 3 victory over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The visitors scored five tries while also having a further two ruled out for knock-ons, but they regularly allowed Italy back into a contest they appeared in control of.
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Ireland boosted their Six Nations title hopes and ended France’s run of 14 straight wins as they battled to a pulsating bonus-point win in Dublin. Ireland scored three first-half tries with Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Andrew Porter all crossing, Damian Penaud’s brilliant counter-attacking try and three Thomas Ramos penalties kept France in touch.
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Warren Gatland’s return was spoiled by Ireland as the world’s number one side humbled Wales in the opening Six Nations match in Cardiff. Ireland’s storming start saw tries from Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe – and 12 points from Johnny Sexton – establish a 27-3 half-time lead that Wales would never manage to surmount.
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A gallant Ireland came up agonisingly short in their attempt to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive as they fell to a narrow 13-15 defeat against France in Dublin. Tries from captain Charles Ollivon and winger Damian Penaud proved crucial for Les Bleus.
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