Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has become the all-time leading points-scorer in the history of the Six Nations.
The fly-half went into today's match against England sitting exactly level with his compatriot Ronan O'Gara on 557 points in Six Nations history.
Sexton needed just one score to move out on his own ahead of his predecessor in the number 10 shirt, and he duly supplied that with an 18th-minute penalty from in front of the posts.
The 37-year-old is playing his last-ever Six Nations game having already confirmed that he will retire after the Rugby World Cup in France later this year, and he will hang up his boots with more points than any other player in the history of the Championship.
The penalty saw Ireland halve the deficit after Owen Farrell - back in the England starting lineup to face the team managed by his father Andy - had kicked two penalties of his own to give underdogs England an early 6-0 lead.
Victory for Ireland would see them win the Grand Slam for only the fourth time in their history, and the first time on home soil in the Six Nations era, with the added bonus of it being on St Patrick's weekend.
France's victory over Wales earlier in the day put pressure on Ireland to get a result, although the points difference means that Andy Farrell's men could win the title even if they lose, so long as they pick up a bonus point.
The world's number one ranked team have won all four of their matches so far, whereas England have already lost twice including a humiliating and historic home defeat to France last weekend. body check tags ::
