Bath Rugby trio Davey Wilson, George Ford and Dave Attwood helped England trounce Italy in the final round of the RBS 6 Nations but Ireland clinched the championship title with victory in France.
England eased past the Azzurri 52-11 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to finish the tournament with four wins from five games.
They were unable to overhaul the hefty points difference advantage held by the Irish at the start of the day, however, meaning any victory for Joe Schmidt's side in Paris would be enough to lift the title.
And Ireland duly delivered at the Stade de France, edging a nervy championship decider 22-20 to ensure legendary centre Brian O'Driscoll signed off his international career with a second winners' medal.
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