EVEN the most enthusiastic England supporter would struggle to begrudge Ireland an RBS Six Nations title that ushered Brian O’Driscoll into international retirement with a second piece of major silverware to cherish.

The arena in which O’Driscoll announced his arrival as a player of rare quality with a hat-trick of tries in 2000 also provided the setting for his Test farewell on Saturday following 15 years of outstanding service.

France were edged 22-20 in Paris to ensure Ireland were crowned champions on a captivating day of high drama that brought the Six Nations to a thrilling conclusion.

Having routed Italy 52-11 at the Stadio Olimpico, England watched events unfold in the French capital at their post-match function clad in dinner suits in case they were to be presented with the trophy.

It was tortuous viewing for Stuart Lancaster and his players as Jean-Marc Doussain missed a penalty and Damien Chouly saw his try in the corner correctly ruled out because of a forward pass.

Either score would have seen France prevail and England secure the title on points difference, but Ireland held on for only their second win in Paris since 1972.

Lancaster later acclaimed O’Driscoll and his teammates as worthy champions and rightly refused to criticise the use of points difference to settle the outcome.

But Ireland, who were defeated 13-10 at Twickenham, would surely have had few complaints themselves had England snatched the title.

Both possessed teams far superior to the quartet of disappointing rivals who finished beneath them in the table and will embark on their summer tours to the southern hemisphere with confidence.

England finished runnersup for a third successive season, a statistic that could be viewed as damning, yet it was easy to accept Lancaster’s view that it had been a positive Championship.

A blossoming attacking game, the discovery of a potent midfield, evidence of genuine depth to the squad overall and the removal of any concerns over Owen Farrell’s potential with the ball in hand were among the highlights.

They travel to New Zealand for the ultimate test of a three-match series against the All Blacks armed with the belief they will prevail, while mindful that to do so will require something special.

Gnawing at their thoughts, however, will be the acceptance that this should have been their Six Nations.

A poor first quarter against France, the matchwinning try by Gael Fickou in Paris and the inability to post bigger winning margins against Scotland and Italy will be a persistent source of regret given that scoring just 11 more points would have made them champions.

And but for Fickou’s moment of individual brilliance, they would have been celebrating the Grand Slam.

‘‘One of the challenges of the Six Nations and the beauty of the tournament is the pressure that comes on from the history and rivalry between the countries,’’ Lancaster said.

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‘‘It is about managing all that as well as the performances. It tests you more than just as a rugby player, it tests you way beyond that and that’s the bit I’m pleased about.

‘‘Rugby is elevated in the UK and in France to a different level during the Six Nations. You have to deal with that, but it also makes it a special tournament.’’ Below England and Ireland two additional tiers emerged with Wales and France occupying the middle ground and Scotland and Italy scrapping to avoid the wooden spoon.

Welsh efforts on the triumphant British and Irish Lions tour to Australia last summer clearly took their toll with a Jekyll and Hyde Championship that defied prediction.

Hammered by Ireland and England but heavy winners against France and Scotland, Warren Gatland’s fallen champions saw their bid to become the first team to complete an unprecedented hat-trick of outright titles exposed as a bridge too far.

The best that can be said about France is that at least they avoided finishing bottom again and they are clearly suffering from the number of overseas players involved in their domestic competition.

Scotland were dire throughout and even faced calls for their expulsion from the Six Nations in the wake of a 20-0 rout by England that could and probably should have been 40-0.

They face a similar dilemma to wooden spoon holders Italy, whose winless Championship has left them with the conundrum of how to be competitive against better-resourced teams.