Ireland – England
Juat a narrow Ireland win over England keep the Grand Slam dream for Ireland very much alive. It wasn’t the prettiest game but it surely was a hard earned one point victory at the end of 80 minutes.
England had a golden chance to take the victory at Croke Park thanks to only two of the six successfully landed kicks by Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara, but their own indiscipline and two yellow cards handed the victory to the home side.
An untidy opening, scrappy and unattractive play with possession continually kicked away, that was very much a picture of the first half. Ireland having the better of the possession with only one converted penalty and England applying a bit of pressure just before the half-time and levelling the score with a simple penalty from in front of the posts.
The second half was a more entertaining one, although it started with another unsuccessful penalty by Ronan O’Gara as his effort struck a post. It was then Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll who lifted home crowded Croke Park with a fine drop-goal soon afterwards.
Ireland began to mount pressure with England warned about infringements and some nasty-looking clashes on O’Driscoll. And it was yet again the Ireland captain who powered over the line scoring his 35th international try 20 minutes from the end of second half.
England tried to hit back and even reduced the deficit to just five points but it was yet another yellow card that cost them. After replacement Care was sent to sin bin England were left to rue their indiscipline after Delon Armitage’s late try and Andy Goode’s conversion, but it was too late to mount another meaningful attack.
Relieved Ireland remain the only unbeaten side in the championship, after France beating Wales in Paris last night, with Declan Kidney’s men on top with six points, followed by Wales and France on four each.
Ireland – England match slideshow
Italy – Ireland
Second match of 2009 RBS Six Nation sees Ireland top of the table after clinching another victory over the home crowded Italians. Beautiful winter sunshine at The Stadio Flaminio in Rome welcomed Irish players with their captain Brian O’Driscoll earning his 90th cap while prop John Hayes equalling the Irish cap record of 91 appearances of a fellow squad member Malcolm O’Kelly.
After an unsettled early stages of the match where Ireland conceived two penalties, Italy spread the ball through the backs but wayward pass collected by the flying Tommy Bowe sprinting a good 50 meters to touch down by the posts.
After a long spell in Italian territory and 19 phases of play Ireland added second try just before the end of first half when Leinster wing Luke Fitzgerald dashed home for his first international try.
Ireland quickly added a third try early in the second half after flanker David Wallace bursts through the tackle of Italian defenders to touch down and ending Italy’s spirited resistance.
At this time the Ireland had the game firmly in their hands. Two more tries from Leinster duo Luke Fitzgerald and captain Brian O’Driscoll in the late stages of the game gave the final result of what was hardly a classic match.
Full credit to Ireland for stepping on the gas in the second half.
Ireland – France
After an opening match of the 2009 RBS Six Nations Championship between England and Italy at Twickenham, the cauldron of Croke Park had seen a magnificent Ireland win over a battling France. It was trully an epic, action-packed encounter as Ireland claimed their first win in seven attempts against the French, thanks to converted tries from Jamie Heaslip, Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy.
It was one of the best rugby match I have ever seen. Edge of the seat, jaw-dropping, throat-rasping and tear-inducing. Whatever way you describe it, this exhaustive three-try victory over France will live long in the memory of all Irish fans.
After seven defeats to les Bleus and that last-gasp defeat at Croke Park two years ago it is a fresh dawn under new coach Declan Kidney.
Today match has been breathless testament to the supreme fitness levels of Irish players as they ‘filled their jerseys’ and survived an onslaught of counter-attacks from the vibrant French.
This magnificent win over a battling France side in a thrilling RBS Six Nations opener at Croke Park, will be one to remember forever.
Ireland – France match slideshow
