THE final Saturday of the Six Nations ended with a flourish with the first Grand Slam for 13 years for England since the class of 2003 took the honour, and a drubbing for Italy which reignited talk about relegation.

Wales blew Italy away with a 67-14 margin that was embarrassing for the Azzurri under their outgoing coach Jacques Brunel, especially as they ended the first round a missed drop-goal from winning in Paris.

Italy’s talisman captain Sergio Parisse took the field for what may prove the last time in Cardiff and he still managed to shine in a stinker of a performance by his injury-ravaged side.