Ireland beat England to win Six Nations Grand Slam on St Patrick's Day

Irish rugby fans hailed a glorious Saint Patrick's Day after clinching the Grand Slam against England at Twickenham.

London turned green as Ireland's triumphant rugby squad took their place in Irish folklore following the Six Nations showdown.

Ireland had already won the Six Nations - their third in five years - but secured a tremendous triumph over England to cement their third ever Grand Slam.

A packed-out Twickenham erupted in a thunderous roar as the men in green stormed to victory on the feast day of Saint Patrick, beating England 24 to 15.

Despite flurries of snow, the Guinness flowed and there was an Irish invasion of fans in pubs near the stadium in south west London, the home of English rugby.

At the nearby Cabbage Patch pub, Jamie O'Brien, 23, from Tipperary, said: "I'm ecstatic. I've never been so happy in all my living days."

Peter Lyons, 35, from Ballymote in County Sligo, said: "It's one of the most special moments going. It's the second time we've won the Grand Slam since I've been alive."

Trevor Hartin, 44, originally from Ballycastle in County Antrim, said: "It's going to be a bloody long weekend!

"And most importantly we're going to be pretty special at the World Cup next year."

Karen McCarthy, 31, from Kilmallock, County Limerick, said: "Sensational. What better way to spend Paddy's Day in London with Ireland winning the Grand Slam.

"There's no better feeling than a bit of retribution."