THE dust has settled and the curtain has come down on an enthralling Six Nations where Ireland won their third grand slam and cemented their position as the second best team in the world.

What was clear from the moment that Johnny Sexton’s beautifully struck drop-goal deep into injury time won the game in Paris was coach Joe Schmidt’s side’s cast-iron will to win a game seemingly lost.

That killer instinct was to the fore against England in Ireland’s final match. Scrum-half Conor Murray got the ball and instead of kicking to touch for the half-time whistle threw a stunning pass to Jacob Stockdale, who cleverly kicked ahead and dived on the ball for a killer blow.

The 21-year-old Stockdale has been a real find for Schmidt as he set a new Six Nations record of seven tries in one tournament.

But he is one gem among many others that Ireland have blooded in their triumphant march to the title.

James Ryan at lock has seven caps and is 21-years-old, while 20-year-old Jordan Larmour came on against England and slotted into the team to the manor born. Fly-half Joey Carberry has nine caps and is also just 22-years-old. 

The men in green now boast an impressive array of youth and experience and their squad of 23 players against England had an average age of 26.

Schmidt has drilled his squad into a winning formula that has seen them win games where their opponent has pushed them hard.

Wales coach Warren Gatland used last year’s autumn internationals and this Six Nations to build his squad for next year’s World Cup and blood some new faces on the international scene.

Winger Staff Evans impressed, as did Josh Navidi at No 7.

There has been a clamour in Wales for the team to play a more expansive game and base the national side around the Scarlets, who have enjoyed notable success in European competition.

Against Scotland in the opening match Wales were rampant and extinguished Scottish hopes. 

The Scarletts’ Rhys Patchell had a fine game at fly-half and the team played with his region’s attacking rugby and flair that home supporters wanted.

But the inexperienced youngster was targeted by England coach Eddie Jones and he wilted under the pressure.

Gatland is stubborn and reinstated Dan Biggar for the games against Ireland and France.

With a second place in the title and narrow losses to Ireland and England, the Welsh can gain considerable satisfaction from their campaign. 

But Welsh fans will be hoping that the boss can be persuaded not to revert to his tried and tested players and evolves the team further to play the way they did against Scotland.

Despite being one of the pre-tournament favourites, Gregor Townsend’s Scotland were stunned by their opening-day loss to Wales, but bounced back to beat France and then England in two thrilling home displays.

But losses away from home showed some of the frailties in Townsend’s attacking approach. 

For every wonder pass thrown by Finn Russell and his centres, Huw Jones and Peter Horne, they also cough up possession and points when they get it wrong.

Scotland play very close to the gainline and manage at home to get the majority of their passes away, but it is on away trips where it goes wrong.

Townsend is melding together a potent attacking force but will be looking to marry that to better game management against top sides away from home.

If his men can reproduce their Murrayfield form when they are on the road, and learn lessons in when to press the Go button, the Scots will be a real handful.

England were chasing a third successive title but ended their campaign in fifth place, their worst result since 1987.

Coach Eddie Jones was lauded for steering his side to 24 wins from 25 games but three losses on the trot in this championship saw the team in some disarray and the Aussie being booed by the Twickenham faithful.

The English forward pack had a torrid time in Edinburgh and lost the crucial breakdown battle against Scotland and France, which reignited the post-2015 World Cup discussion about not playing specialist back-row forwards.

Against Ireland at Twickenham the side were well-beaten by half-time and looked off the pace. Jones seemed to be in denial afterwards when he said that the losses would help the team to become better. 

Certainly, if England are to be competitive in South Africa in the summer and against New Zealand in the autumn then they better learn those lessons quickly.

Jones has said that some players may not make the 2019 World Cup. More losses in the summer and autumn could mean the coach himself may not make the tournament in Japan.