1974 – England 21-26 Ireland
Back in the mid-1970s, as now, Ireland dominated the game. They beat England in the Five Nations and their roster is adorned with legends: Mike Gibson, Willie-John McBride, Fergus Slattery, Ray Mack Laurin, Moss Keane et al. Gibson’s understated talent attracted the wide-eyed nine-year-old half a century ago at cold, shattered Old Twickenham, and Ireland turned the tide with a brace from Gibson, one from four. . Johnny Moloney was the astute visiting striker who took advantage of several England errors in the second half to put the game away before Gibson snuck in at two opportune moments to score twice. Watching the game now, both sides have backs that look like human Twiglets compared to today’s gym-shaped pros. However, Gibson had the style and presence to shine in any era.
1982 – England 15-16 Ireland
It’s hard to believe now, but Ireland haven’t won a Triple Crown since the late 1940s, let alone a Grand Slam. This year, they ended that sluggish journey under the leadership of Army officer Captain Ciaran Fitzgerald. Crucially, they also had the great Ollie Campbell, who beat Tony Ward to the starting halfback spot. Campbell’s goal put Ireland 10-3 ahead and his clever pass to Slattery produced one of the most famous tries in Irish rugby. Did Gerry “Ginger” McLoughlin really lead the entire Ireland team with him on the game’s crucial try? “Someone said I ran 25 yards,” McLaughlin recalled in an RTE documentary three years ago. “I only made about four runs. The ball went through about four hands… I happened to be at the end.”
1994 – England 12-13 Ireland
Ireland had not won at Twickenham for 12 years when they faced England, who were unbeaten at home since 1988. The visitors needed someone to break the mold and duly found their hero in winger Simon Geoghegan. Described by the late Bill McLaren as “a crazy octopus” and “quick as a burnt trout”, he didn’t always see much of the ball during Ireland’s difficult times. On this day, though, the visitors answered back Rob Andreu’s shot with purpose and created valuable quick passes for the lurking defenders. England cover had flowed across the pitch when Richard Wallace played the ball to him, but Geoghegan skinned Tony Underwood before racing past Jon Callard’s tackle to score. Sadly, in 1996, at the age of 27, Gagan’s Test career was cut short by a chronic toe injury.
2004 – England 13-19 Ireland
Ten years later, context also determines everything. England were world champions, unbeaten at home for five years, but their invincible side was starting to fall apart. However, it stirred the pre-match atmosphere nicely when Brian O’Driscoll casually mentioned Ireland’s desire to disappoint the “prawn sandwich team” at Twickenham. “I think you’re going to see a great performance from England,” retorted Clive Woodward. “We talked on the court. I don’t have anything good to say about Brian O’Driscoll, except that I don’t eat prawn sandwiches. I prefer chicken and tomatoes.” However, the 8-1 outsiders are trying to make him eat his words . In the 50th minute, Gordon D’Arcy, who performed well, broke through 65 meters from the midfield and launched a multi-stage attack, which led to full-back Girvin Dempsey scoring from the left corner. This puts Ireland, coached by Eddie O’Sullivan, on the road to their first treble in 19 years.
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2006 – England 24-28 Ireland
Another O’Sullivan-coached team, another Irish Triple Crown winner. This time, their big winger Shane Horgan stole the show with two shots, the second of which came in the 78th minute to give England a 24-21 lead. Ronan O’Gara’s deft chip and the speedy Brian O’Driscoll initially kept Hogan at bay but Lewis Moody A brilliant tackle from Moody soon stopped him. However, Ireland recovered the ball and this time Hogan knocked it down through another Moody tackle to the satisfaction of the TV match officials. O’Gara added to England’s misery by kicking the line-out conversion – Steve Borthwick scoring his first and only Six Nations appearance for England. “Whether I’m involved or someone else comes in, we have to take control of our structure,” lamented their manager Andy Robinson, blaming his side’s Six Nations woes on a brutal domestic fixture list. He will lose his job later this year.
2018 – England 15-24 Ireland
England have never felt more at home on their own soil. With the Irish in contention for a Grand Slam on St. Patrick’s Day, it felt like a green day even before the visitors claimed only their third ever Grand Slam. With the championship already locked up, the Irish team suppressed the pressure of the home fans in the first half with shots from Gary Ringroth, CJ Stander and Jacob Stockdale, leading 21-5 at halftime. Stockdale’s try earned him the individual try-scoring record of the Six Nations season, but equally notable was Tadhg Furlong’s all-round ability, the cohesion of Rory Best’s team and Joe Schmid’s The level of detail under special leadership. The latter has masterminded three Six Nations titles in five years and he predicts Ireland will have greater success in them. “We have a lot of young players and they are only going to get better.” By contrast, England are fifth in the table, their worst finish in 31 years.
