England head coach Stuart Lancaster has admitted that Ireland's Six Nations triumph is a "fitting finale" for retiring "legend" Brian O'Driscoll.

Ireland pipped England to the title on points difference courtesy of a 22-20 victory over France in Paris this evening, a match that marked the end of the 35-year-old's illustrious 15-year international career.

"Credit to Ireland. They are deserved winners and it's a fitting finale and send-off for Brian O'Driscoll, a legend of the game who everyone in this squad respects massively," Lancaster is quoted as saying by PA.

"We always knew this was going to be one of the tightest Six Nations and that it would go down to the wire."

England had earlier piled the pressure on Ireland by defeating Italy 52-11 in Rome to move temporarily top of the Six Nations table.