Wales remained on course for the most unlikely of Six Nations Grand Slams, after they beat an undisciplined England 40-24 in a controversial match in Cardiff on Sunday (NZ time).
Wales led 17-14 at halftime with tries by Josh Adams and Liam Williams - the first after England were caught napping following a huddle as Dan Biggar found his winger with a kick to the corner, and the second after the TMO ruled what seemed a knock-on in the build-up to be legal.
England, who again gave away far too many penalties, stayed in touch with an Anthony Watson try and the boot of Owen Farrell. Sharp tries by opposing halfbacks Kieran Hardy and Ben Youngs made it 24-all heading into the final quarter.
But England continued to give away penalties and replacement Welsh flyhalf Callum Sheedy punished them mercilessly, landing three kicks, before Cory Hill finished things off with a late try, as Wales secured a bonus point and the Triple Crown after earlier wins over Ireland and Scotland.
Ireland scored six tries in a 48-10 bonus-point victory over Italy to earn their first win of this year's Six Nations and condemn the hosts to a 30th consecutive defeat in the tournament.
Tries from Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Will Connors gave the visitors a seemingly unassailable 24-point first-half lead, but Italy hit back before the interval when Johan Meyer touched down in the corner.
CJ Stander muscled over to secure the bonus point for Ireland and Connors added a further score while Italy had two men in the sin bin, before substitute Keith Earls dotted down a sixth Irish try after the final move of the game in Rome.
"It is always a tough place to come and they are a well coached side," Ireland captain Johnny Sexton told ITV.
"We need to keep our performance level like that against two very good sides. This group is on a journey together and we would have liked to have that performance before."
Ireland climbed above Scotland and England in the table into third place with seven points, although both those teams have a game in hand. Italy remained bottom of the standings without a point.
Reuters/Newshub.
