Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has lauded his captain Paul O'Connell after the duo led the men in green to back-to-back Six Nations titles for the first time.
On a dramatic final day, Ireland (+63), England (+57) and Wales (+53) all recorded victories to finish on eight points, but it was Ireland who claimed the title thanks to their superior points difference following a 40-10 win in Scotland.
Ireland defeated the Scots in the middle game and had to wait to see how England got on against France before being confirmed as champions.
England had to win by 26 points or more to nab the title and they were desperately close to doing so, but could only record a 55-35 triumph to fall six short.
"I don't think it's good for my heart," Schmidt told reporters after England's result had come through. "Even for the players, they played one physically then they mentally played another one, certainly emotionally played another one watching the game that's just finished.
"It's special for different reasons. It's special because of the way we had to rebound after last week (losing to Wales). I think it's special because it's been so long since we put back-to-back Six Nations together and I think after last week the disappointment of missing out on Paul's 100th cap.
"The big fella (O'Connell) just decided to grab the group by the neck this week and drag them into this game with a fair bit of energy and resolve and thankfully that was enough to get us over the line."
England's showdown with France went right down to the wire and they were within inches of snatching the late try that they needed.
With the game almost up, the hosts had one last chance but conceded possession to the French, who could have simply kicked out of touch to end the game but instead decided to tap-kick and prolong the action.
Schmidt thought that the game was over and had begun to relax before realising that they were not yet over the line.
"I didn't see [that they were still playing] until 20 seconds after that they tapped it," he added.
"I just sat there and thought 'oh that's fantastic' then looked up and thought 'oh, that's not good'.
"It was pretty nerve-wracking but thankfully they kicked it out and the game finished up."
Ireland have won back-to-back titles before in 1948-49, but that was when the tournament was five countries before Italy's inclusion.
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