Exeter Chiefs’ Henry Slade capped off a brilliant end to his season by scoring in England’s 34-5 win over Italy – the centre also crossed the whitewash in the Heineken Champions Cup final, as well as the Premiership final.

With Ireland and France playing later in the day, England required a bonus-point victory over the Italians to apply maximum pressure on their title rivals – which they duly delivered.

The away side went into the break 10-5 up and a much-improved second half display saw them repeatedly break down the Italians.

Sale Sharks’ Tom Curry scored a smartly taken try, while Jamie George, who was a beaten semi-finalist with Saracens, also crossed for Eddie Jones’ side.

England’s victory left Ireland needing a six-point win and France a 30-point success in the final game of the day to secure the title – a task which proved too difficult in Paris for both sides.

An electric French performance swept Ireland aside to see them win 35-27, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to overturn England’s far superior points difference.

Antoine Dupont, who was part of the Toulouse side that was beaten by Exeter Chiefs in the semi-finals, opened the scoring for France within ten minutes.

Ireland rallied and fought back in a terrific end-to-end game, but some scintillating second-half rugby from France proved too much for Andy Farrell's men.

Romain Ntamack – another Heineken Champions Cup semi-finalist with Toulouse – slotted three penalties for France and finished off a flowing French move as Ireland’s faint title hopes slipped away in the second half.

Virimi Vakatawa, whose performances for finalists Racing 92 earned him a EPCR European Player of the Year nomination, then crossed for the bonus-point score on 71 minutes, effectively handing England the title.

A number of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup stars enjoyed standout performances on the final matchday of the Six Nations Championship.