Ireland claim Grand Slam

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Stephen Jones appeared to have denied Ireland the clean sweep when he landed a drop-goal of his own, but O'Gara struck the decisive blow with two minutes remaining.

Tries from man of the match Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe, both within six minutes after the interval, put Ireland on course for victory in a nerve-shredding contest.

But four penalties from the superb Jones kept defending champions Wales, who needed to win by a minimum of 13 points to retain their title, in touch as they sought to deny Ireland the clean sweep.

The Irish also added a Triple Crown for good measure after recovering from a 6-0 interval deficit but they were forced to hang on amid a nerve-shredding climax as Wales fly-half Stephen Jones missed a 50-metre penalty with the game's final kick.

Fly-half O'Gara's drop-goal won the game for Ireland after Wales led 15-14, but it was captain marvel Brian O'Driscoll who fittingly set the ball rolling.

O'Driscoll touched down from close range for Ireland's second-half opener, before wing Tommy Bowe added an opportunistic second try just two minutes later.

O'Gara slotted both conversions, sinking defending champions Wales, who remained in the contest through four Jones penalties before his late drop-goal.

Ireland's victory also consigned Wales to a lowly fourth place championship finish just a year after winning the Grand Slam.

England finished second, with France third courtesy of Les Bleus' emphatic victory over Italy in Rome earlier in the day.