Victory gallops: Ireland clinches rugby's treble, lifting nation's spirits

[Getty Images] Former Ireland Conor Murray scrum-half says the comeback from the opening Six Nations defeat by France to the Triple Crown "relieves the pressure" on Andy Farrell's squad. Ireland secured a fourth Triple Crown in five years with a 43-21 win over Scotland in Dublin. After losing to France in Paris, Andy Farrell's side battled back with wins over Italy, England and Wales.

The six-try showing against Scotland also kept their slim title hopes alive as they wait to see if England can beat France in the final game of the tournament at 20:10 GMT. "If you rewind to the France game everyone was writing them off and saying it was an ageing squad," Murray said on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast. "The depth was one of the main things, but so many lads have international experience now.

"The new lads have proven themselves on this stage, along with the old guard as well. Sport is fickle, it changes the picture completely. " Murray said that winning the Triple Crown is "very special" even if Ireland miss out on winning the overall title.

"They are hard to win and to complete one is a special thing," added Murray, who won four Triple Crowns as a player. "For a team like this with new players and others returning to form, it's a huge thing for them to go in to the dressing room with a trophy and be proud of what they done. "It's time with your team-mates and the staff.