by Tadhg Peavoy
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2145 That brings this year's Championship to a close.
England win the title, but not the Grand Slam, thanks to Ireland's superb performance in the Aviva today.
France are second, Ireland third and Wales fourth as they jockey around the mid-table spots. While Scotland are one off the basement spot, which is occupied by the Italians.
It was far from a vintage Championship, but there were some sparkling moments and superb tries.
My moment of the tournament? Brian O'Driscoll scoring his 25th Championship try - and in doing, so breaking the competition's all-time try-scoring record.
Thanks for all your comments over the last seven weeks or so. It has been a pleasure to bring you our coverage.
So, wherever in the world you are reading this, see y'after.
2133 Wales are beaten off the park by a France side who impressed in patches, dazzled in other patches and were woeful in other patches. As for Wales? They just must do better, be better and makes less mistakes. This was by far and away their worst display this season.
FULL-TIME: FRANCE 28-9 WALES
80 mins Wales tap and go a quick penalty in their own 22. But it comes to naught. That's the last action of the tie. Lionel Nallet gets the Man of the Match award - thanks to his two well-taken tries.
78 mins Wales in possession and Halfpenny comes on to a pop ball. It goes out to Stephen Jones who chips over the France defence. Medard collects and sprints to the left wing where he puts a kick down the line to chase on to it. If the ball had stayed in there was a try on, but it bounced out on the Welsh 22-metre line.
77 mins Three minutes until England are crowned RBS 6 Nations 2011 champions.
74 mins France kick to the corner, win the lineout and maul it forward. Tomas feeds his team left and right and draws the Welsh cover. France pull Wales everywhere covering driving surges from several France players. Eventually it goes right to Clerc, but there is no space at all. Somehow, he manages to squeeze his way down the touchline to the tryline, and appears to just touch down for a try.
Referee Joubert goes to the TMO, who says no try. It appears he had a foot in touch, knocked it on and failed to actually make the line with the touchdown. So, on review, definitely no try!
73 mins France ruck it forward and Tomas feeds Trinh-Duc who kicks long to the corner.
Wales, devoid of ideas, peg it back to France. Palisson carries forward but slips as he tries to sidestep. France win a penalty as Wales come over the top of the ruck.
72 mins Penalty France as Wales collapse a scrum. Harinordoquy is off for Alexandre Lapandry.
71 mins France steal the lineout and Wales lose their chance - again. Too many mistakes from Wales; just not clinical or precise enough is the over-riding feeling of this Wales performance.
70 mins Wales continue to batter at France, and eventually the French infringe at rucktime and Wales get a penalty. Stephen Jones kicks the penalty up the line.
69 mins Wales attack on the France 10-metre line. Halfpenny tries to dance through the France defence - no entry is the message France give him.
67 mins Wales win the lineout and France kill the ball at the next ruck. Penalty Wales. James Hook will not return as Stephen Jones comes on instead of him at the end of the sin-bin period.
65 mins Trinh-Duc kicks in behind George North who collects and from in his own 22 runs it back at France, making 25 yards with a scintillating run before Wales lose it. Medard collects the possession and batters a kick to the corner of the Welsh half.
62 mins Philips feeds Roberts at full pelt and he slices through the line before being tackled and offloading to Jonathan Davies. He comes right to the line before France just about prevent the try.
Wales contine to recycle but lose it in the ruck. Trinh-Duc whacks the clearance downfield. Chance gone for Wales.
61 mins Wales are all but buried here, but they fight on...The Men in Red pick and go and make hard yards with forward drives. But Lydiate is forced back in the tackle. The Welsh look exhausted.
58 mins France 28-9 Wales (Clerc try, Parra conversion)
Pierre takes a French lineout ball. France maul it again and make good ground and enter the 22-metre area.
Wales are on the rack now and Parra spins the ball out to Trinh-Duc who chips the ball over the Wales defence, Vincent Clerc races past his outhalf to collect the ball and slip over for a try under the posts.
Parra adds the extras with ease.
Wales are up the creek...
57 mins The linesman has spotted something off the ball and this looks like it may be a sinbin. The touchjudge saw James Hook make a late tackle - a very harsh call. But the ref has decided, yellow card and sin-binning for James Hook.
56 mins Wales kick back to France, before Trinh-Duc returns the compliment. Lee Byrne makes a surging run at France and makes it to the 22 metre area.
Just as Wales gain good field position they knock it on.
55 mins France get good go forward ball and bash their way into the 22.
After several phases the ball is popped back to Traille who lines up a drop goal - it is a decent effort but the angle is wrong and it sails wide.
53 mins Hook garryowens long and France receive through Traille, who is taken out off the ball by a Wales player. France get a penalty for that. Les Bleus kick to touch.
52 mins France 21-9 Wales (Hook penalty)
Wales kill the ball at the next ruck and France get a penalty. It is very kickable and Parra decides to go for the sticks.
From just inside the 10-metre line to the left of goal Parra goes for it - inch perfect. Three more points for Parra.
49 mins Wales spill the ball forward in contact. Scrum to France on the halfway. The scrum is solid but Parra's pass to Trinh-Duc is shocking. They almost lose but recover as Trinh-Duc kicks long to North. Wales return the kick and Palisson is fed the ball before charging at Wales. He sets up in the Wales 10-metre area.
47 mins France 18-9 Wales (Hook penalty)
Wales spin it out the line and attempt to break the France defence. They win a penalty as France infringe at the breakdown. Captain Matthews Rees calls for the team to kick at goal. James Hook will take it, but it is way, way out on the left touchline and just inside the 10-metre line. It's an extremely tough kick but Hook nails it.
44 mins France 18-6 Wales (Nallet try, Parra conversion)
Wales receive a long kick deep and Hook tries to hammer a clearance kick down the pitch, but it is blocked down by Alexis Palisson in the Wales 22. Palisson gathers the ball and offloads to Nallet. The second row rumbles over the line for a second try from five yards.
Parra takes the conversion and hits it to perfection.
42 mins France 11-6 Wales (Hook penalty)
Wales win it back and go wide right. Bonnaire is caught offside at the ruck. Penalty to Wales. Hook will take it from wide on the right - superb kick and it sails between the posts.
1 mins Trinh-Duc kicks to Wales. Philips tries a grubber kick up the line for Ryan Jones to chase but the ball bobbles into touch.
2044 France to start the second half.
2035 A poor 40 minutes of rugby punctuated by three excellent penalty kicks - one for Hook and two for Parra - and one superb try coming from bruising second row Lionel Nallet.
Wales need a 27-point win to overtake England atop the Championship table - not looking good my Celtic brethren! Back for the second half shortly.
2035 HALF-TIME: FRANCE 11-3 WALES
40 mins Medard kicks long to touch for France from a penalty. There will be a lineout before the half closes.
France win their own lineout through Nallet. France decide to use the rolling maul again, but they are caught offside accidentally. Penalty Wales, but there is no more time as the half-time whistle goes.
37 mins France 11-3 Wales (Nallet try)
Wales restart to Trinh-Duc - he kicks back to Wales and James Hook runs it back. Wales lose it and France return the kick aiming for touch. But Lee Byrne stops it going into touch by tipping it back in.
France overturn possession and the big second row Nallet grabs the ball. He sees open space in front of him and goes for it. Sprinting at Wales he carves through the gap and, while being hauled down by a tackler, crosses for a try. The ref goes to the TMO who says TRY.
Parra pushes the conversion kick past the posts from right to left.
35 mins France maul it forward from the lineout. Wales collapse the maul and France win a penalty on the 22. France decide to take the kick to extend their narrow lead.
The kick is from wide left, on the 22-metre line. The same kick as the last two penalties, except on the reverse side. Parra to kick again. Two from two, becomes two from three, as Parra misses the penalty - he pulls it to the left.
33 mins France win the scrum and Parra boxkicks long. Wales don't deal with it and get caught in possession, France turn over but knock on.
At the next scrum Wales collapse it - Paul James the offender. Trinh-Duc kicks to touch. France in a good position now.
32 mins Wales recycle well and then go wide to Halfpenny on the right wing. He is away and cantering for the line, but Trin-Duc makes a last-second desperate dive and ankle taps the Wales winger to force Halfpenny to stumble and knock on. Try-saving tap tackle from Trinh-Duc.
31 mins The scrum collapses, but the ref says play on. Wales go left and set up a ruck. Then right to Hook who tries to kick to the corner, but it is a miserable effort and France claim it. As they go downfield with it Alexis Palisson is bundled into touch. Wales lineout put-in.
30 mins France win it back and try to drive forward with the pack - yet again the ball goes forward in contact. Wales get the scrum put in.
29 mins A very poor start from both teams; neither side can gain a stranglehold on the match and are struggling to find a rhythm.
27 mins France kick to touch on the Wales halfway from a penalty. Servat to throw again: this time France win it. Imanol Harinordoquy gets popped a pass but Wales are up fast and hit him back in the tackle. Great stuff from Wales. France knock on.
25 mins France 6-3 Wales (Parra penalty)
Servat throws again but again it is over the top and Wales win it back. But Wales hold the ball on the ground and France win a penalty. Parra will kick at goal from wide right, just outside the 22. Almost the exact same spot from where he kicked his first penalty.
As he did with that kick Parra smashes this one over the bar. France lead the match.
24 mins Traille kicks possession back to Wales and George North. He claims and goes into contact. Philips spreads wide to Roberts, but the ball goes into touch.
22 mins Wales win the lineout and slap it back, Philips boxkicks long and Palisson receives it. France set up and go wide to Clerc on the right wing. No way through and he passes back inside.
20 mins Servat takes a France lineout, but France lose it - awful sloppiness there.
Wales try to break downfield and succeed only in losing the ball in a ruck. France make a quick pop pass to Clerc who jinks into the Wales 22. He is hauled down just short and France spin it to the left wing off the next phase.
Marty tries to bundle his way over the line - no joy. Wales hold firm and France are penalised at the ruck. Hook clears his lines with a decent kick to touch.
19 mins France are huffing and puffing, but Wales are answering all the questions they are being posed.
18 mins France recvcle well in the midfield and spin wide to Bonnaire who goes into contact, but then Wales rob it in the ruck. Now they spin wide left through Ryan Jones who is standing out in the backline. Now Wales lose it in the ruck and France counter.
David Marty makes a surging run, followed by Parra doing the same. Marty beats a few defenders and then sets it up. Trinh-Duc pops to Traille racing around his outside on the blindside and feeds him through: Wales hold firm as France can't break the line.
17 mins Jonathan Thomas comes on for the injured Sam Warburton.
15 mins Harinordoquy wins it, but Wales then steal it in the ruck. Wales have the momentum, but Adam Jones knocks on in the ruck. Sloppy stuff just as Wales had France on the backfoot in their own 22.
14 mins Wales back on the attack. Hook punches a hole down the left wing, but doesn't get far before being hauled down. Wales recycle and Phillips decides to pop the ball to the corner - it is inch perfect and goes right to the corner.
12 mins Wales win the scrum and go down the blindside where they burrow toward the line. Adam Jones batters at the line and Dusautoir is caught offside at the ruck. Hook decides to kick for goal from wide left inside the 22. Useless kick which he pulls to the left of the posts, much like Sexton's miss earlier today.
10 mins Wales launch a garryowen back at France, but France don't deal with it and AW Jones wins it back. In the ensuing ruck the ball gets knocked on France get a scrum in the France half.
8 mins France receive the Wales restart through Servat who takes it into contact. Wales receive a long France punt through Byrne who smacks it right back at France. The French pack set up the ruck and Parra boxkicks. North is under it, but he is turned in the ruck and France win it back. They then kick to touch and crank up the pressure on Wales territory wise.
6 mins France 3-3 Wales (Parra penalty)
France decide to have a pop at goal, Parra will go for it from wide on the right wing, right on the 22-metre line. It's the good side for a left-footed kicker. Awesome kick. The teams are leve.
5 mins France put in, Pierre wins the lineout and France maul it. Wales struggle as France maul hard at the Wales line.
Camped on the line now there is a pick and go attempt which Wales repel. Clerc plays scrumhalf, but a penalty is called for France. That was for a Wales player not rolling away at the ruck.
4 mins Traille garryowens long to Wales and Byrne comes for it, but knocks on. A French boy grubber kicks it to the corner and James Hook has to scramble back to cover it and put it into touch.
2 mins France 3-0 Wales (Hook penalty)
Wales get a penalty as France are caught offside in the ruck. Hook to kick at goal from outside the France 22, to the right of the posts. Tough kick, as it is almost on the touchline. He steps back three, then left three. Breathes deeply and boots it - perfect it is and splits the posts.
1 min James Hook kicks off to France. Traille tries to deal with it under huge Welsh pressure. France kick long to North who jinks intp contact where the French pin him down.
1950 The formalities are out of the way: game time. Fascinating clash in store between a France side stung by a first ever Championship defeat to Italy and a Wales side with dreams of a landslide victory and with it Championship glory.
1949 A minute's silence is to be observed for the victims of the tsunami in Japan.
1948 Land of My Fathers and La Marseillaise are belted out to a full house in Stade de France.
1946 The teams today are:
France: 15-Maxime Medard, 14-Vincent Clerc, 13-David Marty, 12-Damien Traille, 11-Alexis Palisson, 10-Francois Trinh-Duc, 9-Morgan Parra; 1-Thomas Domingo, 2-William Servat, 3-Nicolas Mas, 4-Julien Pierre, 5-Lionel Nallet, 6-Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 7-Julien Bonnaire, 8-Imanol Harinordoquy.
Replacements: 16-Guilhem Guirado, 17-Luc Ducalcon, 18-Pascal Pape, 19-Alexandre Lapandry, 20-Julien Tomas, 21-Fabrice Estebanez, 22-Yoann Huget.
Wales: 15-Lee Byrne, 14-Leigh Halfpenny, 13-Jamie Roberts, 12-Jonathan Davies, 11-George North, 10-James Hook, 9-Mike Phillips; 1-Paul James, 2-Matthew Rees (captain), 3-Adam Jones, 4-Bradley Davies, 5-Alun Wyn Jones, 6-Dan Lydiate, 7-Sam Warburton, 8-Ryan Jones.
Replacements: 16-Richard Hibbard, 17-John Yapp, 18-Jonathan Thomas, 19-Rob McCusker, 20-Dwayne Peel, 21-Steven Jones, 22-Morgan Stoddart.
1944 France v Wales coming right up, kick-off delayed until 1950. The teams have just entered the arena are lining up for the anthems.
1928 Remember, Wales need to beat France by 27 points to win the RBS 6 Nations. Otherwise, England will be champions.
1925 France's match with Wales will now begin at 1950. The delay was to allow Nicolas Sarkozy to address the French nation on TV after events in Libya today.
1911 Match report on the site now, click here to get it.
1854 Match report to come on the site soon people. We'll also be bringing you live text commentary on the France v Wales clash in Paris.
1849 So, this is where the Championship stands: If Wales beat France by 27 points they will win the Championship. If they fail to do that England will win the Championship.
1846 Jonathan Sexton is named Man of the Match as the Ireland team take a lap of honour to commemorate this special win. Ireland's first 6 Nations win in the Aviva Stadium.
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 24-8 ENGLAND
81 mins Lineout Ireland: The Ireland boys maul it as the clock ticks into the red. As it does so Peter Stringer grabs it from the back of the maul and boots the egg ball into touch. Game over: Ireland finally find the performance they have been looking for since the defeat to Scotland in the last game of the 2010 RBS 6 Nations. Superb win, a nice consolation in what was a poor 6 Nations campaign from Declan Kidney's men.
80 mins All the remaining substitutes come on for Ireland - the bench is emptied.
77 mins England win it back and Care tries to break around the side of the ruck, but he fails to hold on to it in the tackle and spills it. Earls picks up the loose ball and finds a gap in midfield which he races into and ploughs downfield - he makes a 30-yard break, but is finally hauled down.
Ireland retain possession and pass out to O'Brien who rampages into the England 22, before feeding O'Dricsoll on the right wing. The captain runs out of room, before popping inside to Best, the pass goes to ground though and is put out of play.
77 mins It comes to Croft on the wing for Engladn, but the pass to him is at his ankles and he hasn't got the dexterity to gather and spills forward. It's all gone Pete Tong for England all over the park.
76 mins England keep possession and go out the line as Irishmen tackle with ferocity, driving England back in the tackle.
75 mins Ireland lose the ball in the lineout and England go wide on first phase, Hape goes to ground with an overlap outside him - wrong choice from the first centre.
74 mins England are beaten now - but they win their lineout and Care boxkicks long.
73 mins O'Gara is fed the ball from Reddan and he pops the ball just over Strettle's head into the corner of the pitch. Class A stuff.
73 mins Ronan O'Gara and Chris Ashton have a quick scuffle, which gets the Ireland fans in the stadium roaring 'Ireland, Ireland, Ireland'.
72 mins Reddan feeds and Ireland go wide to O'Gara, then D'Arcy knocks on in midfield. The greasy ball was too hard to handle.
70 mins O'Gara kicks a garryowen to Strettle who hangs on just about. England kick it back to O'Gara who decided to chip it over the England defence and into the corner - that was Sexton-esque!
The lineout is crooked from England, Ireland will take a scrum deep in the England 22.
69 mins England makes a mess of the lineout and the ball is grubber kicked into the England 22. Wilko gets back to punt the ball to touch.
Sexton comes off for O'Gara - as the crowd get to their feet and roar their approval of his performance: MASTERCLASS.
68 mins England win the lineout and drive to the line where Heaslip steals at the ruck and breaks downfield. Ireland kick to touch.
67 mins Ireland win a scrum in midfield: But it goes England's way in terms of a penalty. This is do or die time for England now. Wilkinson kicks the penalty to the corner for England - it is a perfect kick and right into the corner.
66 mins Ireland knock on in the lineout and England spin wide across the line. It comes to Banahan who is greeted by O'Driscoll who hits him like a freight train and forces him into touch. O'Driscoll is having one of his classic days in the Ireland jersey.
65 mins Ireland win and Sexton kicks to the corner. Foden scrambles back and punts it downfield. The rain is coming down now and the crowd are roaring.
64 mins The scrum again breaks up - but again the referee says Ireland can have the put in.
63 mins Scrum Ireland: it collapses and must be reset.
61 mins England still have with Corbisero and then Care, bu after 15 phases they finally lose it in the ruck - having not been able to pierce the Ireland defence and enter the 22-metre area.
Sextin kicks long to England, who run it back. It comes to Croft who under pressure forward passes for England.
59 mins England win it back and go left and right with forward driving. Great recycling from England. Care spins it out to Wilkinson who goes to contact, before Care goes wide left. England hold on for eight phases of possession and then spin across to Paul Doran-Jones the prop, who is placed out in the backline.
58 mins Mike Ross is substituted for Tom Court.
57 mins The scrum is reset by Ireland and they go wide to Bowe who charges into the England 22. Ireladn then go wide left, but there is no way through. Heaslip and O'Driscoll take pop passes and drive on in midfield. Sean O'Brien does the same, Ireland still just on the 22-metre line, then lost it in the ruck. Croft tries to run it for England, but he knocks on as he enters contact.
Scrum to Ireland in the England half.
56 mins Scrum Ireland: Reddan tries to pass it and Care knocks it down - almost a second intercept on a Reddan pass.
55 mins Wallace is down getting treatment for an injured hand. A bit of a worry for Declan Kidney, but he looks okay to continue.
53 mins Ireland 24-8 England (Thompson try)
Ireland win the lineout and go wide first phase, Trimble loops around the backline onto the left wing, but the pass from he to Trimble is poor and the ball is spilled. Chance missed. But England kick it back to touch where Ireland will take a lineout.
The lineout is good, but as Reddan passes the ball out Thompson intercepts and romps 30 yards home for an England try. Superb opportunist try - shocking pass from Reddan.
The biggest shock is that Wilkinson, now on for Flood at outhalf, misses the conversion from just to the left of the posts. Has he ever missed such a kickable attempt on goal? Perhaps not.
52 mins Penalty Ireland as England high takle. Sexton kicks to touch - wonderful spiral kick to touch.
51 mins But England are still alive. Ashton makes a linebreak and speeds at the Irish posts, but the cover is there to close down the space. Ashton tries to offload but there is no support and D'Arcy cleans up the loose pass.
50 mins That try makes Brian O'Driscoll the all-time leading try scorer in the 5 and 6 Nations Championships.
45 mins Ireland 24-3 England (O'Driscoll try, Sexton conversion)
Scrum Ireland: Reddan puts in - superb scrum. Heaslip picks and pops inside to Wallace. He is smashed back in the tackle.
Ireland decide to switch wings and go wide left, it reaches Trimble, but he runs out of space and is pushed into touch.
Danny Care comes on at the end of Youngs sin-binning. Martin Johnson must have decided Youngs would not come back into the match as punishement for being sin-binned.
Ireland win the lineout and go to Healy over the top. He rampages at England who just about repel him. But Ireland retain possession and go wide left again - it comes to O'Callaghan who does everything to ruin the attack by not passing and losing the ball in a tackle. But Ireladn recycle to O'Driscoll who scorches round the outside of the ruck and England defence to touchdown in the left-hand corner.
Then, Sexton kicks a wonderful conversion from on the left touchline. Simply stunning, stunning conversion kick.
Ireland are eating England alive.
44 mins Ireland win it: Heaslip carries into the 22. England are trying to kill it, it is surely a penalty. The ref says a scrum to Ireland.
42 mins England lineout: England win it and win it well, then maul it forward. England kick long to Bowe who sprints back downfield into contact. Ireland then spin wide across the pitch, it reaches Earls who chips ahead, Foden must come across and guide the ball into touch - lineout Ireland on the England line!
41 mins Teams back on the pitch. Sexton kicks off to England. Youngs is still in the sin-bin.
1752 We want to hear from you! Get your comments in below. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your suggestions.
1749 That said, two tries were disallowed for forward passes, they could be 31-3 ahead if those tries had been converted. As we highlighted earlier forward passes and knock ons are the major danger for Ireland. Cut them out and they will win this game and derail England's Grand Slam bid. More to come...
1748 Woah. Ireland are on fire. Best 40 minutes of rugby from the Ireland team since the won the Grand Slam in Cardiff in 2009.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 17-3 ENGLAND
41 mins Scrum England: the scrum is smashed back by an incredibly dominant Irish pack and England just about recover - just about mind, and and England player grabs the ball and kicks to touch quicksmart as the half comes to an end.
39 mins Ireland feed Trimble on the left wing, he cuts inside and runs into open territory in midfield - he tries to chip ahead but loses it. Nearly came off and he had no support, so a good idea. England knocked on the loose ball and Ireland get a scrum.
They win it and Heaslip breaks with it and tries to feed Wallace, who collects and races over to touchdown! But, play is called back for a forward pass. Two tries for Ireland disallowed for forward passes.
34 mins Ireland 17-3 England (Sexton penalty)
The scrum needs to be reset: second time lucky. The ground is cut up under the spot of the scum making things tricky.
England win, but only just. England pop pass around the fringe, before going wide to Banahan in midifield - Ireland smash him back in the tackle. England are forced to kick away possession. Sexton kicks back to England and Foden claims, but Bowe is up right on the garryowen and smashes into the England full back.
England spill it badly and Wallace is on to it like lightning. He charges down the right wing and outsprints the England defence, he is about to go over when the cover makes it back to smash him into touch.
Ben Youngs is sin-binned for throwing the ball into the crowd to stop Ireland taking a quick throw - bad sportsmanship.
Sexton kicks the penalty wide right and from right on the touchline gets it - amazing kick.
32 mins England claim the restart. Youngs boxkicks and Heaslip fails to collect instead spilling it forward. England claim the loose ball and recycle it out wide.
Shaw again carries well, before being taken down. Ireland try to smother England at the breakdown - it works and England knock on - scrum Ireland.
30 mins Ireland 14-3 England (Flood penalty)
Shaw rumbled forward for England, before Flood spins it wide left. Hartley is hanging out on the wing and drives forward, but at the next phase Ireland go over the top of the ruck and concede a penalty - Paul O'Connell was the guilty party.
Penalty for Flood from just inside halfway in the Ireand half. It's a superb kick from Flood. England are off the mark.
27 mins Ireland 14-0 England (Bowe try)
Drop out on the 22 and the ball is punched back by an English hand. Foden kicks back, but it is useless and Ireland claim it and run it back. It finds Bowe in the 22 and with three defenders in front of him. He goes hard and straight with his running angle and jinks past three players to ease over the line - TRY. Sexton's conversion is poor though as he curls it to the left of the upright.
25 mins Youngs spreads the ball left and right of his pack as England enter the Ireland 22. Ireland defend with vigour, but O'Brien comes off his feet at the ruck and its a penalty England. From inside the 22, right of goal Flood will kick for goal. He fluffs his lines and pulls the shot wide - kicking the ball across the face of goal from right to left - pressure cooker atmosphere.
24 mins Great start from Ireland - they really want this.
They are penalised at a lineout and England take a quick penalty and go out the line to Ashton. Tom Palmer carries well, before Flood spins wide as Ireland crab across the pitch to cover the danger.
20 mins Ireland 9-0 England (Sexton penalty)
Sexton kicks to touch. A short lineout finds Paul O'Connell, Trimble comes tearing around the outside and takes a pop pass. Ireland grind forward, O'Brien carries well.
Healy does the same, before Heaslip is fed wide left, he breaks tackles and enters the 22. Bowe is fed by Heaslip, he makes hard yards and England back pedal. O'Driscoll is pop passed on the left wing - he strides over the line to touchdown! But the linesman says forward pass - no try.
The ref calls play back for an earlier penalty for offside. From wide left outside the 22 Sexton kicks it over.
20 mins Reddan feeds, Engand shove too early and it's penalty Ireand. The ref talks to England captain Nick Easter about England's high penalty count - they are dirtying the game with cheap penalties whenever possible.
19 mins Scrum England inside the Irish half.
England run it through Youngs but the pass from him is weak and he ran across the pitch - scrum Ireland.
18 mins Scrum Ireland: Reddan pops to Best, to O'Brien - the pass from Best is awful and O'Brien knocks on; missed chance.
17 mins England hold on to it well. Superb retention but after a number of rucks England lose it in the ruck as Ireland force a turnover. Scrum Ireland.
15 mins Flood restarts long. Earls takes it and sprints back at England. Ireland then kick long and Cueto gathers and goes to contact.
England go out the line from Flood to Banahan, the pass is poor and the latter does well to keep the ball in contact.
13 mins Ireland 6-0 England (Sexton penalty)
Ireland win it back and push it out to Trimble who runs back at England with pace and goes to contact. Ireland go through several phases of backplay - wave after wave, left and right. They make the 22 on the left hand side. Cian Healy picks and goes in midfield.
England disrupt at the breakdown and the ref blows up. Ashton high tackled Sexton and it's a penalty back for that offence - the linesman spotted it and flagged for it.
Sexton will go for goal from wide on the left, outside the 22. He steps three to the left, bends his knees, the English crowd jeer him a little, he silences them with a superb kick. 6-0.
12 mins O'Brien is hit in the lineout and Ireland maul it - Best pops out with the ball and O'Brien is then fed. Reddan comes to pick and deliver outside him, but he knocks it forward. The crowd call for offside. The ref says no - scrum England.
10 mins Flood kicks to touch. Hartley to take the lineout in Ireland's half.
It is won and then goes out the line to Banahan in the middle of the park. Banahan bashes up the middle, but England lose in contact. Ireland turn over and play a pop ball on O'Brien off the ruck.
Ireland win a penalty as England's Tom Palmer goes in off his feet at the ruck. Sexton kicks Ireland back into England's half.
9 mins Scrum England: Solid scrum, and penalty England as Ireland shove too early and Cian Healy was twisting the scrum.
8 mins Ireland win the scrum, but off the next phase there is a knock on in the ruck, scrum England.
7 mins Flood kicks off and his own team are ahead of the kicker, so it's a scrum back for Ireland. Very rare to see a ref pull a team up for that.
6 mins Ireland 3-0 England (Sexton penalty)
The ball was touched by and Englishman and Ireland get the put-in. They win it and England concede a penalty in the midfield. Ireland to kick at goal.
Sexton will kick the penalty from outside the 22, but in the centre of the pitch. He makes no mistake! Great kick.
4 mins The ball goes over the top of the lineout - poor.
England kick it back to Ireland and Bowe runs from deeo. He takes it into contact and it is fed back to Sexton who kicks to the corner - wonderrul O'Gara-esque kick!
3 mins Scrum Ireland: England are battered by Ireland as England collapse it and Ireladn win a peno. Ireland taps and goes before finding Earls outside him. He chips ahead to Foden who panics and kicks poorly to touch. Ireland lineout.
2 mins England recycle out the line to Ashton who crashes into contact.
England then go into the middle, but Ireland defend well and win a scrum for a knock on.
1 min Flood kicks off to Ireland. Banahan wins it back for Ireland.
1701 The teams for today's battle are:
Ireland: 15-Keith Earls, 14-Tommy Bowe, 13-Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Andrew Trimble, 21-Jonathan Sexton, 9-Eoin Reddan; 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-Mike Ross, 4-Donncha O'Callaghan, 5-Paul O'Connell, 6-Sean O'Brien, 7-David Wallace, 8-Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Tom Court, 18-Leo Cullen, 19-Denis Leamy, 20-Peter Stringer, 21-Ronan O'Gara, 22-Paddy Wallace.
England: 15-Ben Foden, 14-Chris Ashton, 13-Matt Banahan, 12-Shontayne Hape, 11-Mark Cueto, 10-Toby Flood, 9-Ben Youngs; 1-Alex Corbisiero, 2-Dylan Hartley, 3-Dan Cole, 4-Louis Deacon, 5-Tom Palmer, 6-Tom Wood, 7-James Haskell, 8-Nick Easter (captain)
Replacements: 16-Steve Thompson, 17-Paul Doran-Jones, 18-Simon Shaw, 19-Tom Croft, 20-Danny Care, 21-Jonny Wilkinson, 22-David Strettle
1700 And now of course, Ireland's Call...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIxe5ooQtqI
1659 The Aviva crowd roar in anticipation as Amhrán na bhFiann is cranked into gear - rousing stuff.
1658 The Garda and Army bands bash out God Save the Queen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN9EC3Gy6Nk
1657 National anthem time is on the way.
1656 Get your predictions and all that in to us down below on our new comments section.
1655 President Mary McAleese is out doing the meet and greets, as always her hair is immaculate. Great hair, Maro, fair play.
1653 England have won 12 Grand Slam titles in Championship history, but they have also been denied 5 times in Grand Slam deciders. This makes them the team that has won the most Grand Slams and also the team that has lost the most Grand Slam deciders.
1645 Stat attack:
Head-to-head: Ireland 45 wins, England 70 wins, draws 8.
In the last seven matches Ireland have won six times, their only loss coming in 2008 - a 33-10 defeat in Twickenham.
1645 One of the major problems Ireland have had this season has been needless knock-ons in contact - they simply must eradicate these facile handling-errors to beat the English.
Pictured below: Jonathan Sexton practices pop passes to Rory Best; get these pop passes right, with no knock-ons, and Ireland will have key possession which they can recycle to grind England down. Spill the ball and England will pounce.
1644 Pictured below: One of the major areas where this battle will be decided will be at outhalf, where both teams have 25-year-old stars who have had very different trajectories in this season's 6 Nations.
In the green corner, Jonathan Sexton will be aiming to recover from being dropped for the last two matches.
In the white corner, Toby Flood has been on fire this campaign and has been a lynchpin of England's demolition of Wales, Italy, France and Scotland. He'll be looking to kill off Ireland today.
1637 Right, time for a few images to set the scene I reckon:
Pictured below: Andrew Trimble is back in the Ireland team today, at the expense of the dropped Luke Fitzgerald, who doesn't even make the matchday 22.
1623 Philosopher Brian O'Driscoll is getting all Cartesian in an interview with RTÉ's Joanne Cantwell: 'If you believe the good press, you have to believe the bad press. So maybe you're better off not believing anything.' Cogito ergo sum, baby. Anyway....
1622 The Chariot has rolled in the gates of Aviva and is ready to be either derailed or to rumble on to a first Grand Slam since 2003, when England's then captain and now coach led his men to glory with a whopping 42-6 victory at the old Lansdowne Road.
1620 Hello again everyone. Ireland's poor RBS 6 Nations campaign will be behind them in three hours, but first there is the small matter of Ireland v England. This one's a little tasty, innit mate, as Martin Johnson would probably never say.
by Brendan Cole
4.15pm Suffice to say, that was a poor game.....
George Hook's take is that Ireland should be worried about Italy, and they should be deeply worried about referee Steve Walsh, who, he says, did not referee the breakdown. Focus will now switch to Ireland v England.
Tom McGurk reveals that there might be some rain later on, though conditions right now look good and there won't be much wind at Aviva Stadium.
I'll now hand you over to Tadhg Peavoy, who will be doing the Ireland v England game. And maybe the France v Wales one as well.
FULL-TIME: SCOTLAND 21-8 ITALY
80mins Italy win the lineout but as they attempt to drive, it is turned over. Walsh blows then to give a penalty to Scotland - 'no feet to body' he tells Italy. Scotland punt touch and that's the ball game.
79mins Scotland win the lineout and kick long to touch. Italy again go to attack but can't breach the Scots' 22. After a while, they get a penalty for offside, which they take quickly. But a missed offload between Parisse and Barbieri - with Barbieri's pass not going to hand - gives Scotland the ball and again, they clear to halfway.
77mins The match has turned fairly poor but after fielding an aimless kick at full-back, Luke McLean adds a highlight, throwing the dummy of the Championship fooling three men and almost getting him in in the corner. Paterson again makes the saving tackle.
76mins Italy push hard in the scrum but the Scots resist and Parisse picks and tries to slip an inside ball to Barbieri but it is a poor pass and is knocked on. Scotland win the scrum and let Vernon have a go. A dodgy pass goes to ground but Lamont tidies it up and Scotland eventually clear though Jackson.
The ball was outside the 22m line and the brought back, and Jackson kicked straight to touch. So it should be a lineout about 35m closer to the Scots line. But it isn't.
73mins Italy win the lineout and willingly go again, and win a penalty for Beattie not rolling away. Semenzato takes it quickly and Orquera almost creates a super try but a crossing call goes against him. Referee Walsh goes back to an earlier ruck infringement by the Scots. Italy will scrum this one.
Kelly Brown - knocked out cold last week - goes off with Richie Vernon coming in for the Scots.
70mins Italy win that scrum against the head - Perugini no longer on and that must help. As they attack, a Scottish boot comes into a ruck from the side and means a penalty for Italy. They kick up to the 22m line and win the lineout, but the attack is ended by a quick Scottish turnover, the ball spilling out of a ruck for Gray to grab. It's cleared to the Scots' 10m line.
69mins Canavosio comes in for Sgarbi (odd, as he's a scrum-half). Italy try to run at Scotland on half-way but Orquera's forward pass sees the Scots given a scrum on halfway. Parisse is now limping for Italy but play on.
68mins Scotland 21-8 (Paterson pen)
Italy work it to Jackson who kicks long to McLean, but he catches it well on the fly and connects with his pack on the counter. On half-way, Italy start attacking again. But a turnover on the deck - a good steal but hard to see who go it - gives the Scots another chance to kick and they do so, getting up the Italy 22, where Canale tries to run back. Bergamasco lets his frustration show, flying into a static ruck without binding on a man or any of that other modern stuff, and giving away a penalty for dangerous play. Paterson puts it over nicely.
65mins Italy win their lineout and with Orquera rather flashily pulling the strings, get up to the 22m line. But a knock on by Italy scrum-half Semenzato on the base gives the Scots a reprieve; scrum on their own 22m line.
63mins The ball is overthrown though, and Festuccia catches it for Italy. A penalty soon ensues, as the Scots try to strip the ball on the deck and Italy kick to half-way.
Scot Lawson, Euan Murray and Mike Blair are in for Scotland.
62mins Given ball off the tail of the lineout by Lawson, wing Walker again carves through the heart of the Italy defence and into the 22 where he is hauled over by Bergamasco. But as Scotland hammer their men at the Italy line, sub-back-rower Barbieri nabs a turnover ball and McLean punts back up to their own 22m line.
58mins Gray wins another lineout against the throw - his third of the day - and Lawson kicks up near enough the Scots' 10m line. Lo Cicero, Barbieri and Orquera (10) come on with Burton, Perugini and Darbyshire go off.
Italy win the lineout scrappily, losing a good 15m from an untidy tap back. They try to get going again but another pass hits the deck and Scotland reclaim the ball and attempt a kick to the corner through Paterson. But Benvenuti catches it over his shoulder and passes to McLean, who punts to touch on half-way.
57mins Jackon kicks long again to Parisse - a carbon copy of the previous restart/returns - and Italy begin to attack on half-way as 'Flower of Scotland' rings out round the ground. Italy keep the ball in hand, their back-rowers charging at Italy and they win a penalty; Strokosch not releasing the tackled player. Italy punt up to the Scots' 22.
54mins Scotland 18-8 Italy (Walker pen; Paterson con)
Scotland win the lineout and quickly launch Walker - wrapping around - down the outside centre channel. He gets into the 22. A few phases later, Walker pops up again, taking another ball in the wide-ish channel and handing off two men to score another try for the Scots. From an easier position, Paterson converts to put Scotland well up.
52mins Sergio Parisse wins the lineout and as Italy punch their runners, the same player almost busts a hole through the middle but a desperate grab by Richie Gray halts him. Gray has grabbed Parisse by the shorts, and they almost come off - exposing a lot of cheek. Italy keep attacking but a handling error sees the ball bounce in behind their attacking formation and a penalty is then given for holding on. Jackson punts the ball up the near the Italian 22 and into touch. Bernabo replaces Carlo Del Fava in the second row while Alasdair Strokosch comes on for Scotland blindside Hines.
50mins Italy go wide to Nikki Walker, who is downed and Bergamasco then counter-rucks strongly and breaks up the ruck to force the ball to touch. After the play stopped, Nathan Hines tackle off the ball on Bergamasco is then judged to merit a penalty to Italy - Alan Lewis stepping in from the touchline. And Italy punt up to the Scots' 10m line.
49mins The kicking exchange ends with Scotland getting on the front foot, Lamont again getting his hands free and this time feeding De Luca. That move gets them to the Italy 10m line. The play ends when and Italian player falls in front of the Scots ball; Walsh decides he is trying to move and gives Scotland a scrum instead of the penalty that the incident may well have merited.
47mins Scotland 11-8 Italy (De Luca try)
Scotland are getting on top in the scrum - with Salvatore Perguni under pressure on the loosehead side for Italy. Scotland go wide, where Jackson tries to go through a gap but can't. Advantage is given to them for offside but De Luca then gets in down the short side and in the corner, set up by Hines. It's his first try for Scotland and their first at Murrayfield in two years. From the touchline, Paterson just misses the posts to the right.
43mins Italy will kick off this time; Burton gets the match going again with a longish kick which Gray collects just outside the Scots' 22. The kicking skirmish ends when McLean runs it back and Parisse then gets a half-break, to put Italy in position on the Scots 22, which they traverse via their handling over and back. Going nowhere. But a poor error sees Canale drop the ball and lets Scotland go on the charge up the field, hacking the ball ahead of them. Ghiraldini and Lamont end up in a race for the ball and the Scottish centre is surprisingly beaten to the ball by the Italian captain, who dives on the ball. Scotland pour numbers into the resultant ruck and are awarded the scrum 5m from the Italy line.
HALF-TIME: SCOTLAND 6-8 ITALY
39mins Italy power though the Scots on the tighthead side and Parisse picks and goes but as Italy continue to pick and jam, Rory Lawson - not the first time he has put his head in a ruck - wins the turnover and then gets a penalty straight away. The shot will be from the touchline and a few yards outside the 22 but from 41m Paterson tries to add a little extra power and hits a dirty pull: OB left. And that's the half.
38mins Scotland win the lineout but an attempted offload out of the back of his hand by Lamont in the wide channel doesn't quite come off; Paterson not managing to hold on. Scrum Italy.
37mins Italy catch the lineout at the tail through Parisse but Castrogiovanni gives away a penalty for trying to play on when held in the tackle. Good shots of both coaches going mad at these erros. Scotland kick up to inside the Italy half and touch.
36mins The Scots win the ball at the tail and then try to bring Danielli in round the back of the lineout but Sean Lamont gets in front of him - American football blocker style - and gives away a penalty, which Italy punt up to inside the Scots' half.
35mins Italy put the power on in the first scrum but it is blown up; the second is a mess and the third is picked by Parisse and moved to Sgarbi in the centre, who is tackled well and then pinged for not releasing. The Scots kick up to just inside the Italian 22.
33mins Major blow for Italy; Masi is limping off with Luke McLean replacing him.
On the field, Ghiraldini charges out of defence after catching the kick. A messy ruck - should be penalty Italy ensues - but they keep the ball though phases, and then kick up to the Scots 22. The Scots kick to touch on half-way but Italy take it quickly. Referee Steve Williams then gets involved, the ball is flipped inside and into arms by Burton at out-half. Williams caught it well one-handed....and it's now a scrum to the Italians.
31mins Scotland 6-8 Italy (Bergamasco pen)
Having driven the last maul so well, Italy try again but Kellock burrows through the heart of the maul and breaks it up. Italy go to Masi again, but he is well hit on the 22 but another penalty is given by the Scots: Simon Danielli getting in the way of attacking ball. Keep the ball; get a penalty is the order of the day so far.
From the 22 and near enough a central position with the posts to his left, Bergamasco puts this one over to reclaim the lead.
28mins A quality catch and drive by Italy is pulled down the Scots, and it is another penalty to Italy - Burton again punts to touch; this time on the Scots' 22.
27mins But the scrum is not going to happen; the Scots - Ross Ford mainly - have tried that rather unpleasant and dangerous tactic of rubbing heads prior to the put in and a penalty is given to the Italians, who kick up to half-way.
27mins Scotland win ball off the top and launch it to Danielli in the middle of the park. But a Jackson forward pass to Hines off the next ruck means we will see the first scrum of the day on the Italian 22.
25mins Italy win the lineout again but an attempted chip doesn't work out and Scotland quickly move it to Danielli, who chips along the line and into touch on the Italian 22. Parisse wins the lineout and kick to Danielli on halfway, where Italy give a penalty; Zanni not releasing the tackled player. It's too far for Paterson, and the Scots kick to touch on the 22.
23mins Italy win the lineout again and go wide after a crash by Parisse but the ball is turned over by at a ruck and cleared to outside the 22 by the Scots. They then claim the lineout, and Lawson kicks down the line again, where Bergamasco catches. Under pressure in the ruck, Italy just hang on to the ball and return a box kick of their own. But Scotland can't take it and a loose ball pops to Paul Darbyshire (Italy), who races down the line but is caught by Paterson. He is able to then feed Bergamasco but the wing is tackled and turned over and again, Lawson kicks. This time he goes to touch - another fast and furious spell.
21mins Scotland don't get a man up this time - though the throw is again fairly dodgy - and set up a maul. It's not going anywhere and as the maul goes down, Geoff Cross get a boot in a puts it in touch. Another lineout.
20mins Scotland box-kick the restart back at Italy, and Parisse collects - the first time we've seen him - and runs it back. Italy keep up the running, again smashing into the Scots on half-way, where Ross Ford is pinged for lying on the ball and preventing Italy from getting at it. From the dead centre of the pitch, Italy kick to touch on the Scottish 22.
18mins Scotland 6-5 Italy (Paterson pen) Shot at goal is the call, and Paterson kicks Scotland back into the lead. Joe Ansbro has had his day ended by what looks like a leg or knee injury and will have to be replaced by Nick De Luca.
17mins But Scotland grab a fourth lineout - Kellock again - and quickly go wide, where Lamont makes a half-break and feeds Ansbro, who races into the Italian half. Lamont then takes it again and gets Scotland into the Italian 22, holding off several tacklers as he does so. Simon Danielli then almost gets over but is held up an inch from the line. And a penalty for offside 5m from the line is all they can get in the end. Scrum? Run? Kick?
14mins Both teams are happy to kick back and forth, and Walker eventually puts it in touch, again on half-way. But again, the Scots claim, this time Kellock getting it at the back and charging for a quick 15m. But he is then pinged for holding on and Italy again go to touch in the Scottish half.
12mins Scotland 3-5 Italy (Masi try)
The Scots kick long and Italy charge back at them and then from nowhere, Masi hits a sweet line from full-back, racing between Ansbro and Walker and gallops over the line virtually untouched!
From wide on the right, Bergamasco hits the post with his conversion attempt.
9mins No is the answer, he reaches a big hand up and taps it back. The ball is moved to Danielli, who chips it a bit too long and Italy counter and make ground quickly. Masi is stopped inside the Scottish 10m line and two men come in the side to give a penalty chance to Mirco Bergamasco but his usually faithful right to left draw doesn't happen and it misses right. Scotland 22 dropout.
7mins Italy kick off long and Scotland waste no time returning it touch. Ritchie Gray then grabs the lineout on half-way to maintain their great start. But loose passing in the middle ends Scotland's momentum on halfway and a hard tackle yields a turnover second later. Burton then aims for the corner, where Paterson gathers and kicks long - back to halfway for another Italian lineout!
Can they avoid Gray this time?
3mins Scotland 3-0 Italy (Paterson pen)
Steve Walsh is the referee and he blows for kick-off with Scotland getting things underway. Italy box kick to Kelly Brown and Scotland then embark on a march all the way up the field.
Ansbro, Barclay, Kellock and Brown launch themselves into some big hitting from Italy before Lamont then cuts clean through the first line of defence, cutting an angle and switching with Jackson.
The next phases sees Italy give up an offside advantage but as they near the line. That ends but is quickly followed by a ruck advantage - tackler not releasing - which is then given as Italy continue to defend their tryline.
Paterson will have a shot at goal and he pops it over from near 20m to the right of the posts. Great start for the Scots.
2.29pm Scotland v Italy
Scotland: C Paterson; N Walker, J Ansbro, S Lamont, S Danielli; R Jackson, R Lawson; A Jacobsen, R Ford, M Low, R Gray, A Kellock, N Hines, J Barclay, K Brown.
Replacements: S Lawson, E Murray, R Vernon, A Strokosch, M Blair, D Parks, N De Luca.
Italy: A Masi; T Benvenuti, G Canale, A Sgarbi, Mirco Bergamasco; K Burton, F Semenzato; S Perugini, L Ghiraldini, M Castrogiovanni, C Del Fava, Q Geldenhuys, A Zanni, P Derbyshire, S Parisse.
Replacements: C Festuccia, A Lo Cicero, V Bernabo, R Barbieri, P Canavosio, L Orquera, L McLean.
2.25pm The focus switches to Scotland v Italy. Max Evans is not playing this week with Nikki Walker coming in.
The Italian travelling support are loudly roaring 'Italia, Italia!' - plenty of them there.
Anthems time.
Prediction: Scotland to win fairly well.
2.20pm Key question: will Ireland kick a lot of ball today?
Well, so far they have kicked 21 times against Italy (including a fair few short grubbers), 15 times against France, 24 times against the Scots and a whopping 41 times against Wales.
What to expect today? With Sexton and Earls in the team, it may be that the intention is to keep ball in hand a bit more.
2.15pm George Hook has a harsh verdict on the coach: '(Declan) Kidney is an innately conservative man who disdains ambition'.
Commenting on the England team, Conor O'Shea highlights their youth and warns Ireland not to take Matt Banahan lightly - he is more than a 'crash bash' merchant and has an offloading game.
2.10pm The opening opinion is that Ireland have missed a chance to blood players during the RBS 6 Nations and are running out of time with the Rugby World Cup (Brent Pope).
Ireland face four months of torture if they lose and the bench is a baffling selection and is not balanced (Conor O'Shea).
A performance without a result is no good and this team is not as good as the one that was picked last week, while the selection could destroy the confidence of Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald (George Hook).
But Brent thinks Ireland will win......
2pm And the TV show is up and running: watch online here.
1.55pm Interesting stat. Here's the top scorers from kicks so far in the RBS 6 Nations. No shock that Toby Flood is in first but it is surprising to see Mirco Bergamasco in second place, even though Italy have had a good year.
Player Convs Pens Points
Toby Flood (England) 7 11 47
Mirco Bergamasco (Italy) 2 11 37
Morgan Parra (France) 3 8 30
James Hook (Wales) 2 8 28
Stephen Jones (Wales) 2 6 22
Dimitri Yachvili (France) 3 5 21
Chris Paterson (Scotland) 1 6 20
Jonny Wilkinson (England) 4 3 17
Ronan O'Gara (Ireland) 5 2 16
Dan Parks (Scotland) 2 3 13
Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) 2 2 10
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) 0 1 3
Ruaridh Jackson (Scotland) 1 0 2
1.40pm @ghook via twitter 'After a big breakfast in the 4 Seasons we are ensconced in the Aviva for the Italy/Scotland game'
1.30pm Tom can't appear to stop with the picture updates: the panel prepares for today's match. You can also keep up with RTÉ panellist George Hook's doings and sayings on twitter: http://twitter.com/ghook
1.15pm Get the match preview, Ireland v England teams and Brent Pope's analysis.
RTÉ's Tom McGurk (@TomMcGurk) is preparing for the game at Aviva Stadium: he has sent this picture update via twitter.
1pm: Welcome to today's RBS 6 Nations 'Super Saturday' tracker. We'll be bringing you live updates from all today's games, including the main event at 5pm, when Ireland take on England.
Before that, there is a tasty warm-up course is Italy v Scotland and France and Wales may just have it in them to provide an exciting finish to what has been a peculiar tournament.
It's a crisp and sunny afternoon in Dublin, with little wind. Ideal for running rugby - though with all that's at stake it may be expecing too much to ask either Declan Kidney or Martin Johnson to give their team too much.
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