In Pics: Six Nations Champions

Ireland’s thrilling 22-20 win over France in Paris on Saturday secured their first Six Nations Championship since the Grand Slam win under Declan Kidney in 2009.

Check out the best pictures from the successful Six Nations here.

The campaign started with a 28-6 win over Scotland at the Aviva in February with Andrew Trimble, Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip touching down as Ireland captain Paul O’Connell missed out with a chest infection.

The game saw Munster’s Tommy O’Donnell make his Six Nations debut in his third appearance for Ireland.

The momentum continued a week later as Wales were beaten 26-3 in Dublin with Chris Henry and Paddy Jackson scoring the two tries with O’Connell returning to lead the side.

Munster captain Peter O’Mahony was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match award and Johnny Sexton kicked four penalties and a conversion to set up a Triple Crown decider with England in Twickenham.

Ireland’s first away game of the Championship ended in disappointment as England edged a tight encounter on a 13-10 scoreline. Rob Kearney scored Ireland’s only try just after the break but Danny Care’s 57th minute try moved England into a lead that they held until the final whistle.

Joe Schmidt’s side bounced back against Italy two weeks later as they recorded a convincing 46-7 win. Ireland crossed seven times to open up a commanding points difference lead over England and France at the top of the table that meant any win the following week in Paris would be enough to secure the Championship, once England didn't beat Italy by 50 points or more.

Brian O’Driscoll received a memorable send-off from the home crowd as he played his final game in an Irish jersey on his home turf.

And so to Paris. With just one win in 42 years on French soil and facing a French side keen to make up for some lacklustre performances it was never going to be an easy game.

Johnny Sexton scored two tries in his new home city with an Andrew Trimble effort – brilliantly set up Conor Murray, who started all five of Ireland’s games in the Championship – sandwiched in between.

France thought they had stolen the win with a try at the death but the TMO ruled it out for a forward pass and Ireland clung on for the win.

Paul O’Connell lifted the Six Nations trophy in his first campaign as captain with Brian O'Driscoll fittingly bowing out of international rugby on a high.