Memory Lane Millennium Stadium, March, 2005: Wales 32, Ireland 20: "And they were singing, Land of My Father . . ." The deliriously drunk Welsh stumbled through the Cardiff night, breaking into their favourite hymn at every turn. The Irish visitors also got into the flow. You couldn't help but be happy for this thoroughly deserved yet highly unlikely Grand Slam, won in a style that sparked memories of the 1970s. Well, for those old enough to remember.
This Irish team have experienced a few of these days. A Triple Crown up for grabs only to see it devoured by a hungrier team with more layers to their game plan. All day a sunny Cardiff was like Rio during carnival; New Orleans during mardi gras; Stradbally during the Electric Picnic. You get the picture.
It started with a Ronan O'Gara penalty before going horribly wrong. Gavin Henson slotted a drop goal before landing a monstrous penalty all sandwiched between a Gethin Jenkins try after O'Gara's clearance was blocked down. Stephen Jones punished every indescretion.
The killer score came when Tom Shanklin smashed through the Irish midfield before releasing Kevin Morgan just after the hour mark. Late Irish tries from Marcus Horan and Geordan Murphy were barely noticed as the party was already in full swing.
Notably, the Irish pack shows a five-player turnover for Sunday.
WALES: K Morgan; M Taylor, T Shanklin, G Henson, S Williams; S Jones, D Peel; G Jenkins, M Davies, A Jones; B Cockbain, R Sidoli; R Jones, M Williams, M Owen.
IRELAND: G Murphy; G Dempsey, B O'Driscoll, K Maggs, D Hickie; R O'Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes; M O'Kelly, P O'Connell; S Easterby, J O'Connor, A Foley.
Deaker takes charge
New Zealand referee Kevin Deaker is thrust into the limelight on Sunday in Cardiff as he controls his first high-profile Six Nations match. In June, Deaker was in charge for Ireland's defeat to Australia so at least he is familiar with the playing personnel. He is joined on the line by Shane Horgan's old chum Steve Walsh and Scottish official David Changleng.
Two Irish officials are busy at Twickenham, for England v Scotland, with Alain Rolland on the line and Donal Courtney the television match official.
Limbert gets call
Ulster hooker Jess Limbert is the only new face in the Irish women's team, coached by John O'Sullivan, that faces Wales at Taffs Well RFC (Cardiff) on Saturday at 2.30pm.
IRELAND WOMEN: Sarahjane Belton (Bohemians); Jeannette Feighery (Bohemians), Lynne Cantwell (Richmond), Shannon Houston (Blackrock), Grave Davitt (Blackrock); Joanne O'Sullivan (Richmond), Tania Rosser (Blackrock); Fiona Coghlan (Bohemians), Jess Limbert (Cooke), Marie Barrett (Highfield); Caroline Mahon (Bohemians), Germaine Healy (Rathdrum); Eimear O'Sullivan (Clonakilty), Rachel Boyd (Cooke), Orla Brennan (Blackrock). Replacements: Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock), Laura Guest (Clonakilty), Debbie Clarke (Blackrock), Sinead Ryan (Navan), Louise Beamish (Bohemians), Mairead Kelly (Bohemains), Amanda Greensmith (Shannon).
Bookies' corner
For punters fond of a Six Nations treble the handicaps are as follows (courtesy of Paddy Power, all wins are 10 to 11 on): Italy (plus 14) v France, England (minus 14) v Scotland, Wales (plus four) v Ireland.
Weekend Fixtures
FRIDAY: Under-20 International: Wales v Ireland, Liberty Stadium, Swansea, 7.10
SATURDAY: Six Nations Championship: England v Scotland, Twickenham, 4.0; Italy v France, Stadio Famingo, Rome, 1.30.
All-Ireland Cup quarter-finals (all 2.30): Belfast Harlequins v Galwegians, Deramore Park; Garryowen v St Mary's, Dooradoyle; Terenure v Clonakilty, Lakelands Park; UCD v Shannon, Belfield Bowl.
Women's International: Wales v Ireland, Taffs Well RFC, Cardiff, 2.30.
SUNDAY: Six Nations Championship: Wales v Ireland, Millennium Stadium, 3.0, K Deaker (New Zealand).
