Dallaglio (right) - with the trophy ay Heathrow.

By Andrew Baldock, PA Sport Rugby Union Correspondent, Dublin

Lawrence Dallaglio believes that England have firmly answered their critics by winning the Grand Slam and RBS Six Nations title.

England finally got it right at the final hurdle, crushing their previously unbeaten title rivals Ireland 42-6 at Lansdowne Road.

And it sets England up perfectly for the rest of a huge year, which will now continue with summer Tests against New Zealand in Wellington and Australia in Melbourne during mid-June.

After three World Cup warm-up games in August, England then go on to challenge for global supremacy Down Under, and on yesterday's evidence there can be no doubt that they are major contenders.

England firmly underlined their status as world rugby's officially-ranked number one team, recording a victory that was emphatic as they ran in five tries from Will Greenwood (2), Mike Tindall, Dan Luger and Dallaglio himself.

"This game was evidence that we can produce the goods when required. I think that we've answered a few critics," Dallaglio said.

"We showed a lot of heart in what was a very tough game. Ireland put us under a lot of pressure and, in the end, it was determination that got us through.

"This is a huge year and this has given us a platform to build on.

"People have questioned our ability away from home, but to win a Grand Slam decider in Dublin 42-6 answers that."

England have now equalled their own record of 11 successive Tests unbeaten, and they've also ended an eight-year wait to be crowned Grand Slam champions.

They were never seriously in any danger of blowing a final-game opportunity as they have done in 1999, 2000 and 2001, defeats which scarred the Clive Woodward coaching reign.

Ireland trailed just 13-6 at half-time, but then England cut loose, rattling up 29 unanswered points during the second period.

"I cannot describe the feeling really - this achievement is well earned," said Bath centre Tindall.

Tindall's touchdown gave England vital breathing space as they moved 20-6 ahead, and Ireland could then find no way back as the visitors simply pulled away.

Tindall hurt his ankle in the act of scoring, but added: "It is a bit swollen and a bit sore, but I am sure that 10 pints of Guinness will sort that out.

"It was very nice to score, it is just a shame that I couldn't celebrate it a bit better because my ankle collapsed underneath me."

England captain Martin Johnson was understandably delighted with his team's display, and no one among the sell-out Lansdowne Road crowd could doubt their claim to Six Nations supremacy.

"To come away from home against the form team in the championship and win is obviously a great victory," he said.

"It was pretty fast and pretty open, but when the game is fast and loose, it suits us.

"It is nice to get the Grand Slam won, of course it is. If we had lost today, then it would have been horrible - a nightmare.

"If you have lost three Grand Slam deciders in four years, then people are obviously going to ask questions."

Woodward heaped praise on his players for their efforts, claiming that he had no doubt they were deserving of such an accolade.

"It was a goal at the start of the season for the whole team and coaches to try and nail down the Grand Slam," he said. "We had to win. The ramifications of losing would have been huge, but I think that we have got a big-match team and the preparation all week was excellent.

"It was a great all-round performance and this is obviously a great boost for us all in 2003 - it will give a spring in the step."

Woodward saluted Dallaglio's contribution and that of fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked 15 points and controlled the game masterfully despite taking a knock to his shoulder and then needing stitches when a stray boot caught him in the mouth.

"We have got an outstanding group of players," he added. "I am delighted for them - I think they deserve it."

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