Ireland’s Epic 2018 Six Nations Triumph: Fixtures, Drama, and Unforgettable Moments

Ireland dominated the 2018 Six Nations Championship with flair and precision, securing their third Grand Slam in history by winning all five matches, including a stunning victory over defending champions England at Twickenham, while Scotland, Wales, France, England, and Italy delivered thrilling contests across the rounds that captivated millions of rugby fans worldwide.

2018 Six Nations Championship

The Six Nations Championship ignited rugby passion across Europe starting on February 3, 2018, as England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales fielded their strongest squads to battle for supremacy over five intense rounds concluding on March 17, 2018, with Super Saturday delivering nail-biting finishes that saw Ireland clinch the title and Grand Slam in front of a roaring Twickenham crowd, while Scotland edged Italy in Rome and Wales outlasted France in Cardiff to round out a tournament filled with high-scoring thrillers, defensive masterclasses, and emerging stars who reshaped the northern hemisphere rugby landscape forever.

Full Fixtures and Results Breakdown

Round 1 Fixtures: Explosive Opening Weekend

Wales crushed Scotland 37-7 on Saturday, February 3 at the Millennium Stadium, where George North and Gareth Anscombe powered through a resilient Scottish defense with tries from Josh Adams, Steff Evans, and Josh Navidi that showcased Welsh attacking prowess under Warren Gatland’s coaching, while France hosted Ireland on Sunday, February 4 at the Stade de France and fell 13-15 in a gritty affair dominated by Johnny Sexton’s boot and Ireland’s relentless forward pressure led by Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong, and England demolished Italy 46-15 later that day at the Stadio Olimpico as Dylan Hartley, Jonny May, and Ben Youngs ran riot with multiple tries that signaled England’s title defense intentions right from the kickoff.

Round 2 Fixtures: Momentum Shifts and Statement Wins

Ireland unleashed a record-breaking 56-19 demolition of Italy on Saturday, February 10 at the Aviva Stadium, where Jacob Stockdale scored a hat-trick of spectacular tries that announced him as the tournament’s breakout star while Keith Earls and Jordi Murphy added to the rout that propelled Ireland to the top of the standings, England edged Wales 12-6 in a tense Twickenham showdown driven by Owen Farrell’s precise kicking and a watertight defense orchestrated by Maro Itoje and Joe Launchbury that stifled Welsh threats despite valiant efforts from Brentford vs Tottenham Dan Biggar, and Scotland stunned France 32-26 on Sunday, February 11 at Murrayfield with Finn Russell’s playmaking genius unlocking tries for Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour in a high-octane clash that boosted Scottish confidence midway through the championship.

Round 3 Fixtures: Twists and High Drama

France bounced back emphatically on Friday, February 23 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille by thrashing Italy 34-17, as Damian Penaud and Baptiste Serin ignited the home crowd with dynamic counters and tries that exposed Italian vulnerabilities under Conor O’Shea despite Tommaso Allen’s brave resistance, Ireland then overpowered Wales 37-27 on Saturday, February 24 at the Aviva Stadium where Jonathan Davies and Josh Adams fought back fiercely for Wales but Ireland’s back-row trio of CJ Stander, Dan Leavy, and Josh van der Flier combined with Stockdale’s second try of the round to maintain their perfect record, and Scotland shocked England 25-13 at Murrayfield on the same day with Stuart Hogg’s brilliance and Peter Horne’s kicking proving decisive against an England side disrupted by injuries to key players like Nathan Hughes.

Round 4 Fixtures: Title Race Heats Up

Ireland solidified their Grand Slam charge on Saturday, March 10 at the Aviva Stadium by defeating Scotland 28-8 in a commanding display where Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony dominated the breakdown and Stockdale notched his seventh try of the tournament to leave Scotland’s faint hopes in tatters, France upset England 22-16 at the Stade de France driven by Antoine Dupont’s sharp distribution and a heroic effort from the forwards including Arthur Iturria that dented England’s championship aspirations significantly, while Wales hammered Italy 38-14 at the Millennium Stadium with Cory Hill, Josh Navidi, and Steff Evans crossing multiple times to secure a bonus point victory that kept them in contention for a top-three finish heading into the final round.

Round 5 Fixtures: Super Saturday Glory

Super Saturday on March 17 exploded with action as Italy hosted Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico and fell 29-27 in a pulsating encounter where Finn Russell’s last-gasp drop goal sealed a dramatic Scottish win after Sean Maitland and Fraser Brown touched down Matt O’Riley amid Italian resistance from Edoardo Padovani and Sebastian Negri that made the final scoreline reflect a hard-fought battle, England faced Ireland at Twickenham in the title decider where Ireland triumphed 24-15 through Sexton’s masterful generalship, tries from Stockdale and Cian Healy, and a rock-solid scrum that silenced the home crowd while England’s Danny Care and Chris Ashton fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome the Irish discipline and physicality, and Wales clinched second place by edging France 14-13 at the Principality Stadium with Leigh Halfpenny’s boot and a late Josh Adams try proving decisive against a French side led by Gregory Alldritt’s carrying threat in a match that encapsulated the tournament’s relentless competitiveness.

Final Standings and Tournament Statistics

Ireland topped the table with 10 points from five wins, securing the Grand Slam, Triple Crown, and title ahead of Wales on 6 points from three wins and two losses that included crucial bonus points from try-scoring efforts, Scotland finished third with 6 points from three wins after their thrilling victories over France and Italy edged them ahead of England on 5 points marred by surprise defeats to Scotland and France despite heavy wins over Italy, France claimed fifth on 4 points buoyed by triumphs over Italy and England but hindered by early losses, and Italy languished at the bottom with 0 points from five defeats though they showed sporadic promise in tight contests against Scotland and Ireland.

Key Players Who Lit Up the 2018 Six Nations

Jacob Stockdale from Ireland dazzled everyone with seven tries, including a hat-trick against Italy and a decisive score at Twickenham, earning him the Player of the Championship award for his aerial prowess, finishing ability, and work rate that transformed Ulster’s wing into a global superstar overnight. 

Johnny Sexton captained Ireland masterfully with pinpoint kicking, creative passing, and leadership that steered them to the Grand Slam while racking up Star-Studded crucial points, and Scotland’s Finn Russell orchestrated backline magic with visionary plays that unlocked defenses in key wins over France and Italy. Wales’ Josh Adams burst onto the scene with five tries fueled by explosive pace and power, France’s Damian Penaud showcased flair with dynamic counters against Italy, England’s Maro Itoje anchored the lineout and breakdown with athleticism that troubled opponents relentlessly, and Italy’s Tommaso Allan contributed valiantly with accurate kicking despite the losses.

Tactical Insights and Coaching Impacts

Joe Schmidt’s Ireland executed a game plan blending suffocating defense, explosive phase play, and set-piece dominance that overwhelmed opponents round after round, with meticulous preparation evident in their Twickenham dismantling of England where they targeted weaknesses exposed in prior losses. 

Warren Gatland’s Wales emphasized physicality and wide attacks that yielded high try counts against Scotland and Italy, though lapses against Ireland and England highlighted scrum frailties. Gregor Townsend unleashed Scotland’s attacking freedom through Russell’s distribution, turning Murrayfield into a fortress with victories over England and France that signaled their resurgence. Jacques Brunel’s France mixed chaos with brilliance, upsetting England via Dupont’s speed at nine, while Eddie Jones’ England faltered from over-reliance on power without adapting to injuries and Scottish unpredictability, and Conor O’Shea’s Italy improved discipline but struggled against elite forward packs.

Memorable Matches and Turning Points

Ireland’s 24-15 Grand Slam win over England at Twickenham stands as the pinnacle, where Stockdale’s try and Sexton’s composure flipped a halftime deficit into triumph despite England’s late surge led by Farrell’s penalties that kept the 82,000 fans on edge until the final whistle. Scotland’s 25-13 upset of England at Murrayfield shocked the rugby world as Sizzling Saturdays Hogg’s counterattacks and Horne’s boot capitalized on English errors in a rivalry clash that shifted momentum dramatically. Wales’ 37-7 opening rout of Scotland set an aggressive tone with North’s power plays, while France’s 22-16 victory over England in Paris revived their campaign through Iturria’s carries and a partisan crowd that fueled the comeback from 13-9 down.

Impact on World Rugby and Legacies

Ireland’s Grand Slam propelled them to World Rugby rankings number one, positioning Joe Schmidt’s side as serious 2019 World Cup threats to New Zealand with Stockdale and Sexton embodying a new era of northern hemisphere excellence that inspired young players across Europe. Scotland’s third-place finish under Townsend marked sustained progress, Wales built momentum for future campaigns, while England’s slip to fourth exposed vulnerabilities ahead of home World Cup year, France hinted at revival under Brunel, and Italy gained valuable experience despite the wooden spoon that fueled O’Shea’s long-term rebuild.​

Fan Experience and Broadcast Highlights

Millions tuned in via BBC and ITV in the UK, with Super Saturday drawing peak audiences over 8 million for the England-Ireland decider that broadcasters hyped relentlessly, while stadium atmospheres like Murrayfield’s bagpipe roars and Aviva’s green wall of noise amplified the drama for live attendees who traveled across borders to witness history unfold in real time.​

Lessons Learned from the 2018 Tournament

Teams embraced high-tempo rugby that averaged over 50 points per match in several games, underscoring the value of versatile backlines and breakdown warriors, while Ireland’s discipline—conceding fewest penalties—proved decisive, and Scotland’s bravery in defeat against Ireland highlighted resilience as a pathway to growth for perennial underdogs challenging the elite.

FAQs

What Were the Exact Dates and Kickoff Times for All 2018 Six Nations Fixtures?

Tournament organizers scheduled Round 1 for February 3 with Wales vs Scotland at 2:00 PM GMT and England vs Italy at 4:30 PM GMT, plus Ireland vs France on February 4 at 3:00 PM GMT; Round 2 hit February 10 with Ireland vs Italy at 2:00 PM GMT and England vs Wales at 4:30 PM GMT, followed by Scotland vs France on February 11 at 3:00 PM GMT; Round 3 featured France vs Italy on February 23 at 8:00 PM GMT and then Ireland vs Wales plus Scotland vs England on February 24 at 2:00 PM and 4:45 PM GMT respectively; Round 4 arrived March 10 with Ireland vs Scotland at 3:45 PM GMT and England vs France at 5:30 PM GMT alongside Wales vs Italy at 2:00 PM GMT; Super Saturday on March 17 packed Italy vs Scotland at 12:30 PM GMT, England vs Ireland at 2:45 PM GMT, and Wales vs France at 5:00 PM GMT, creating an unforgettable triple-header that fans still discuss passionately today.

Who Won the 2018 Six Nations Championship and How Did They Achieve the Grand Slam?

Ireland claimed the 2018 Six Nations Championship outright by winning all five fixtures with a 10-point haul, achieving their third Grand Slam through victories over France (15-13), Italy (56-19), Wales (37-27), Scotland (28-8), and capping it with a historic 24-15 defeat of England at Twickenham where disciplined defense, Stockdale’s seven tournament tries, and Sexton’s 15 points in the finale overwhelmed the hosts despite fierce resistance from Farrell and Youngs.

Which Player Scored the Most Tries in the 2018 Six Nations and What Made Their Performance Stand Out?

Jacob Stockdale topped the try charts with seven for Ireland, including a hat-trick against Italy, one each versus France, Wales, Scotland, and England, standing Strictly Scores out through aerial dominance winning high balls, blistering pace on overlaps, and finishing composure under pressure that earned him Player of the Championship honors and transformed him from club prospect to international sensation overnight.​

How Did Scotland Perform Against the Odds in Key 2018 Six Nations Matches?

Scotland exceeded expectations by securing third place with three wins, stunning England 25-13 at Murrayfield via Hogg’s counters and Russell’s vision, outlasting France 32-26 with Maitland tries, and snatching a last-second 29-27 victory over Italy on Super Saturday through Russell’s drop goal that denied the hosts a maiden win and boosted Townsend’s attacking blueprint.​

What Were the Final Scores and Key Scorers in the Decisive England vs Ireland Match?

Ireland triumphed 24-15 over England at Twickenham on March 17, with tries from Stockdale and Healy (plus Sexton’s conversion, penalty, and drop goal for 15 points total), while England responded through two Farrell penalties and a Care try converted by Farrell, but Ireland’s forward dominance and fewer errors sealed Joe Schmidt’s masterpiece in front of 82,000 stunned spectators.

Why Did Wales Finish Second Despite Losing to Ireland and England?

Wales amassed six points from three victories over Scotland (37-7), Italy (38-14), and a tense 14-13 Super Saturday win over France via Halfpenny’s boot and Adams’ late try, earning bonus points from four-try hauls that their high-tempo attack under Gatland produced while defensive grit limited damage in defeats to secure runners-up ahead of Scotland on points difference.​

How Did France’s Upset Win Over England Impact the Tournament?

France’s 22-16 victory over England on March 10 at Stade de France, powered by Dupont’s playmaking, Penaud’s flair, and Iturria’s carries, derailed England’s title defense and title hopes by dropping them to potential fourth place while reviving French spirits after early losses and setting up a nervy Super Saturday loss to Wales that still marked progress under Brunel.​

What Challenges Did Italy Face and Any Bright Spots in 2018 Six Nations?

Italy absorbed heavy defeats totaling 204 points against but competed gamely, narrowing losses to Ireland (56-19 despite Stockdale’s hat-trick), Scotland (29-27 in a thriller), and showing kicking accuracy from Allan against France (34-17 loss), with O’Shea’s focus on youth like Padovani signaling gradual improvement despite the winless campaign.​

Who Were the Top Points Scorers in the 2018 Six Nations Championship?

Johnny Sexton led with 68 points for Ireland through penalties, conversions, and drop goals that guided their Grand Slam charge, followed closely by Leigh Halfpenny’s 59 for Wales via reliable kicking in tight games, Finn Russell’s 51 for Scotland including drop goals, and Owen Farrell’s 44 for England despite team setbacks.​

Where Can Fans Relive Full Match Highlights from 2018 Six Nations Today?

Fans access official Six Nations Rugby YouTube channels, BBC iPlayer archives (for Scotland, Wales, France games), ITV Hub replays (England, Ireland, Italy matches), and sites like Ultimate Rugby or Wikipedia for clips, results, and stats, while SixNationsRugby.com hosts fixture recaps and player interviews preserving the tournament’s legacy for new generations

To Get More Sports Insights Click On

Manchester United vs West Ham: Unyielding Pursuit of Glory in the 2025/26 Premier League Season

Rotterdam Open 2026: Alex de Minaur Conquers Rotterdam Ahoy in Thrilling Victory

Exeter Chiefs: The Ultimate Guide to the Premiership Giants

Sunderland Score Today: Latest Updates and Match Insights

To Get More Info: North England News