(CNN) -- Ireland gave Brian O'Driscoll a dramatic farewell to international rugby by clinching the Six Nations title with a tense 22-20 victory over France in Paris on Saturday. The 35-year-old center was named man of the match in his record-extending 141st appearance at the highest level, as Ireland won the European tournament for the first time since 2009. A French victory would have given the title to England, who thrashed Italy 52-11 in Rome earlier Saturday to end Les Bleus' own hopes. France, beaten World Cup finalist in 2011, could have denied the Irish after scoring a controversial 63rd-minute try to Dimitri Szarzewski -- but Jean Marc Doussain missed a routine penalty kick soon after.
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Brian O'Driscoll bows out of international rugby as Ireland wins Six Nations title
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Saturday's 22-20 victory in France ends England's hopes of snatching the crown
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The English finish second on differential after beating Italy 52-11 in Rome
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Wales in third place above France after thrashing Scotland 51-3 in Cardiff
It was @placeholder's first win in Paris since 2000, which was also by a two-point margin.