Six Nations 2019: how 14-1 Wales landed the Grand Slam

Ireland were favourites to win the 2019 Six Nations and they came up against England in Dublin in round one. But neither of the market leaders lifted the trophy. Here's how the tournament unfolded.

Pre-tournament betting: 5-6 Ireland, 7-2 England, 11-2 Wales, 16-1 Scotland, 18-1 France, 1,000-1 Italy.

Round one

Friday, February 1: France 19 Wales 24, Stade de France.

The Championship began with a remarkable clash in Paris. France flew out of the blocks and built up a 16-0 half-time lead but Les Bleus fell apart in the second half. Two tries from George North saw Wales complete the biggest comeback in Six Nations history.

Saturday, February 2: Scotland 33 Italy 20, Murrayfield

Blair Kinghorn scored a hat-trick as Scotland eased to victory against Italy. The Azzurri scored three times in the final ten minutes to reduce the gap but they were comfortably second-best.

Saturday, February 2: Ireland 20-32 England, Aviva Stadium

England stunned the Dublin crowd with a powerful performance that wrecked the tournament favourites' Grand Slam chances. It was Ireland's first home defeat in the Six Nations since 2013. Henry Slade scored two tries as England's tactical kicking and strong defence earned them victory.

Betting after round one: 5-6 England, 4-1 Wales, 6-1 Ireland, 16-1 Scotland, 25-1 France, 1,500-1 Italy.

Round two

Saturday, February 29: Scotland 13 Ireland 22, Murrayfield

Ireland dug deep for victory at Murrayfield with Jacob Stockdale and Keith Earls scoring. Scotland were left to rue missed opportunities and a mounting injury list.

Saturday, February 29: Italy 15 Wales 26, Stadio Olimpico

Wales made ten changes and laboured to victory in Rome. Josh Adams and Owen Watkin scored the Welsh tries but there was no bonus point. Italy were spirited but lost a 19th successive Six Nations match.

Sunday, February 10: England 44 France 8, Twickenham

Jonny May scored a first-half hat-trick as England made it two wins from two. France's woeful performance piled the pressure on coach Jacques Brunel.

Betting after round two: 4-6 England, 4-1 Wales, 8-1 Ireland, 50-1 Scotland, 100-1, France, 2,500-1 Italy.

Round three

Saturday, February 23: France 27 Scotland 10, Stade de France.

Scotland's 20-year wait for a win in Paris continued after France bounced back from their Twickenham horror show. France scored four tries and had a further three disallowed by the TMO.

Saturday, February 23: Wales 21 England 13. Principality Stadium.

Wales produce a stirring second-half comeback to end England's Grand Slam hopes. Tom Curry's try put England in front but roared on by a passionate home crowd, Wales score twice in the second half.

Sunday, February 24: Italy 16 Ireland 26, Stadio Olimpico

Ireland survived a scare in Rome as Italy led 16-12 at half-time. Keith Earls and Conor Murray crossed in the second half to ensure Ireland took all five points.

Betting after round three: 4-6 England, 11-10 Wales, 10-1 Ireland, 250-1 France, 500-1 Scotland.

Round four

Saturday, March 9: Scotland 11 Wales 18, Murrayfield

Wales survived a second-half fightback from their hosts to move within one game of the Grand Slam. It was their record-breaking 13th consecutive win.

Saturday, March 9: England 57 Italy 14, Twickenham.

Manu Tuilagi scored two tries as England steamrolled Italy at Twickenham to take the title fight into the final weekend. The Azzurri were left with the wooden spoon for a fourth straight year.

Sunday, March 10: Ireland 26 France 14, Aviva Stadium.

Ireland kept their faint title hopes alive with a bonus-point win over France. Rory Best crosses in his final Dublin Six Nations appearance.

Betting after round four: 5-6 Wales, 11-8 England, 14-1 Ireland.

Round five

Saturday, March 16: Italy 14 France 25, Stadio Olimpico.

Defeat to Les Bleus meant Italy lost all five matches for the fourth year in a row. Damian Penaud impressed once again on the wing for France.

Saturday, March 16: Wales 25 Ireland 7, Principality Stadium.

Hadleigh Parkes scored an early try as Wales clinched the Grand Slam. It was their third clean sweep under Warren Gatland and their first since 2012.

Saturday, March 16: England 38 Scotland 38. Twickenham

The Calcutta Cup was drawn for the first time since 2010. England led 31-0 at one stage but Scotland slowly chiselled away at the score before going in front. George Ford's try with the last play at least ensured England didn't lose but the cup stayed north of the border.

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