Compiled by Gavin Cummiskey
Memory Lane
March 30th, 2003, Lansdowne Road, Ireland 6 England 42
It was like the last two cowboys at a poker table, with the Grand Slam replacing chips, of course. Ireland were on the back of a 10-game winning streak but this English team's very reputation was on the line.
An enthralling tussle was expected but nobody realised just how far Ireland lagged behind the opposition.
Facilitated by a hugely experienced pack, Clive Woodward's side had produced breathtaking rugby in each of the previous three years, only for Wales, Ireland and Scotland to each deny them a 12th Grand Slam on the last day of the season.
Before kick-off, Martin Johnson displayed English intent, and arrogance, by standing on Ireland's side of the red carpet. With several superstitious heads on board, captain Brian O'Driscoll marched past Johnson and on to the green carpet. Unfortunately, this was a huge insult to President Mary McAleese as she was forced on to the grass to meet the Irish players.
In a recent interview by the London Independent, Graham Rowntree, England's loosehead prop again on Sunday, was asked for his funniest Six Nations memory.
"In 2003 at Lansdowne Road one small Irish official attempted to move us from one half of the pitch to the other just before the national anthems. This was down to the Irish thinking it was good luck to be at that particular end. Martin Johnson wouldn't have any of this, and we didn't budge."
Luck, maybe, but what about respect and tradition? Immediately, temperatures began to rise.
David Humphreys kicked an early penalty and visions of a memorable (well, for most it wouldn't have been) night in Dublin crept into the mind.
Then England put on the squeeze. An Irish scrum in the 22 was wheeled; Matt Dawson pick-pocketed Peter Stringer and in an instant Lawrence Dallaglio was diving under the posts.
Wilkinson slotted two drop goals, to Humphreys' one, but early in the second half Will Greenwood invented a chink of light to send Mike Tindall bulldozing towards the line. Geordan Murphy felt the full brunt of his power a yard from the line.
After that, the temperature sank to the levels of a Polish cryotherapy chamber.
England hit their absolute peak with an all-conquering Southern Hemisphere tour before becoming the first Northern Hemisphere country to win the World Cup.
At least, the result has motivational benefits this week as 16 of the Irish 22 return, while only eight English are back, six in the starting line-up.
IRELAND: G Murphy; J Bishop, B O'Driscoll (capt), K Maggs, D Hickie; D Humphreys, P Stringer; M Horan, S Byrne, J Hayes; M O'Kelly, G Longwell; V Costello, K Gleeson, A Foley. Replacements: F Sheahan, J Fitzpatrick, P O'Connell, A Quinlan, G Easterby, R O'Gara, G Dempsey.
ENGLAND: J Lewsey; J Robinson, W Greenwood, M Tindall, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; G Rowntree, S Thompson, J Leonard; M Johnson (capt), B Kay, R Hill, N Back, L Dallaglio. Replacements: D West, T Woodman, D Grewcock, J Worsley, K Bracken, P Grayson, D Luger.
Head To Head
Ronan O'Gara v Charlie Hodgson Before the Six Nations Charlie Hodgson was being touted as the ideal replacement for Jonny Wilkinson. Despite a stumble against Australia, he was expected to fit nicely into the Lions number 10 jumper. The well of English talent seemed deep.
Then he started to misfire. Badly. Olly Barkley was planted just outside to help ease the pressure. Yet, when Hodgson dropped into the pocket to beat France he was all alone. The drop goal effort was well wide and the O'Gara doubters were forced into a rethink.
The Sale outhalf still moves a line with class but O'Gara's nerve, when it really matters, is proven (see Cardiff drop goal in 2003) and his ability to control games gives him a substantial edge.
Hook drop
Say what you like about George Hook but the man is a good sport. One of the most hilarious events of recent times took place at the top of Grafton Street in Dublin yesterday morning as Ireland's answer to Howard Stern was plunged into the freezing cold water of the Guinness Draught Can Dunker. All in aid of the IRFU Charitable Trust for seriously injured players.
Rugby fans wishing to activate the Dunker with a well-placed rugby pass will be asked to make a donation, at their discretion, to the IRFU Charitable Trust.
The Dunker heads to Belfast today, and returns to the Ballsbridge area on match day. The final stop will be Cruises Street in Limerick when Ireland play France on March 12th.
With a television crew and plenty of snappers present yesterday, rugby balls were fired at a lever that dunked Hook on the third attempt.
It looked like a traumatic experience but the rugby critic proved that if you are going to give it out, you've got to be able to take it.
Bookies' corner
Paddy Power has given us a few from left field today Danny Grewcock to get a yellow card - 14 to 1; Deltra Goodrem and Brian McFadden to sing the National Anthem - 25 to 1; Denis Hickie to drink out of a Wavin pipe during the post-match interview on RTÉ - 100 to 1.
