6 Nations: The Best Matches

1) Ireland 43-13 England
February 24, 2007
Croke Park, Dublin

The most emotional game in the history of the tournament saw Ireland put England to the sword at the home of the GAA.

Two weeks previously the Irish had slipped to a heart-breaking last-minute defeat to France. But the sheer passion and ferocity of their play secured a record win over the Red Rose.

Tries from Girvan Dempsey and David Wallace and the metronomic boot of Ronan O’Gara saw the Irish lead 23-3 at half-time.

Debutant David Strettle scored to reduce the gap to 26-13, but a superb Shane Horgan try, from an O’Gara cross-field kick, and another score from Isaac Boss meant Irish eyes were smiling.

2) Wales 31-24 Scotland
February 13, 2010
Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

Wales snatched an unbelievable win after scoring 17 points in the final two minutes.

Scotland dominated the early exchanges and tries from John Barclay and Max Evans contributed to an 18-9 half-time lead.

Dan Parks pushed Scotland further ahead with a penalty before Shane Williams scored a sizzling try to reduce the gap.

A further Parks drop goal put Scotland 24-14 ahead with five minutes remaining but they lost Scott Lawson to the sin bin.

Leigh Halfpenny scored a try, converted by Jones, in the 78th minute to close to within three points, and an incredible fightback appeared on when Jamie Roberts burst through, seemingly for a try.

But he was tripped by Phil Godman, who also received his marching orders, and Stephen Jones’s penalty drew the scores level as the final whistle was about to sound.

If Scotland had banged their kick-off into touch the game would have ended, but Wales went the length of the field and Shane Williams sizzled over to secure a quite stunning victory.

3) Wales 33-37 France
Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
16 February 2002

The previous year Wales had stunned the French 43-35 in Paris, and they very nearly produced a remarkable late fight back to repeat the trick.

Wales had their supporters cheering early on when Craig Quinnell barged over for an early try as the hosts led 10-3 after 10 minutes.

Early optimism seemed misplaced as a Tony Marsh brace and a controversial try for Aurelien Rougerie, allied to accurate kicking from both Stephen Jones and Gerard Merceron, saw Les Bleus lead 34-19.

But Wales came roaring back in the final quarter as Nathan Budgett and Kevin Morgan crossed the whitewash.
Trailing 33-37 in injury time, the Welsh were twice denied by the video referee as France held on for a nail-biting win.

4) France 25-27 Ireland
Stade de France, Paris
19 March 2000

Ireland claimed their first victory in Paris for 28 years on the day Brian O’Driscoll announced himself on the international stage.

After Gerard Merceron kicked two early penalties for the French, O’Driscoll rounded off a wonderful team try by touching down under the posts.

But the lead was short-lived as  Christophe Laussucq touched down and Merceron added two more penalties.
The irrepressible O’Driscoll then added a second try after wonderful interplay with fellow centre Rob Henderson.

With five minutes remaining France led 25-17 but O’Driscoll grabbed his third try and with just two minutes left on the clock, replacement fly-half David Humphreys landed a penalty to ensure a memorable Irish victory.

5) Italy 34-20 Scotland
Stadio Flaminio, Rome
5 Febraury 2000

Italy pulled off a sensational upset in their first game in the newly revamped Six Nations.

The Azzurri were given no chance against Scotland after a hugely disappointing world cup  (they had lost all three pool games and conceded 196 points) and there were questions raised over their inclusion in the tournament.

Although Scotland outscored the hosts by two tries to one, Italy’s record points-scorer Diego Dominguez enjoyed a red-letter day.

He slotted six penalties and a trio of stunning long-range drop-goals in a personal 29-point haul which secured a memorable win and silenced Italy’s critics emphatically.

6) Wales 15-17 Ireland
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
March 21, 2009

Ireland secured their first Grand Slam in 61 years with a thrilling win in the Welsh capital.

The game was not a try-scoring classic but for sheer tension and drama it was truly memorable.

Stephen Jones knocked over two penalties before half-time to put the hosts 6-0 up.
But tries from Brian O’Driscoll and Tommy Bowe put the Irish ahead until Jones kicked two more penalties and a 75th minute drop-goal to push Wales 15-14 ahead.

Ronan O’Gara slotted a drop-goal of his own with two minutes remaining and a long-range penalty attempt from Jones fell short in injury time as Ireland claimed their elusive Grand Slam.

7) Wales 11-9 England
February 5, 2005
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Wales claimed their first victory over England in Cardiff for 12 years as Gavin Henson kicked a long-range penalty four minutes from time.

England’s line-out was shocking for the first 10 minutes and when they lost their own throw for the third time Wales capitalized as Shane Williams touched down in the corner.

Stephen Jones and Charlie Hodgson exchanged penalties to leave the hosts 8-3 up at half-time.
The English pack began to take charge in the second half and two further Hodgson penalties inched them if front.

But Henson banged over a 44-yard kick from the right touchline to send the Welsh into raptures.

8) Ireland 6-42 England
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
29 March 2003

From the moment Martin Johnson famously refused to move before the pre-match presentation of the players to President McAleese, England were in belligerent mood.

And they produced one of the most impressive performances in the history of the tournament to seal a Grand Slam.

Ireland took an early lead through a David Humphreys penalty before Lawrence Dallaglio gave England the lead following a Matt Dawson break.

A second David Humphreys penalty pulled Ireland back to 6-7 but that was as good as it got for the hosts.
Jonny Wilkinson’s relentless accuracy with the boot and second-half tries from Mike Tindall, Will Greenwood (2) and Dan Luger sealed the win.

9) Scotland 17-37 Italy
February 24, 2007
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

The Azzurri claimed their first away win in the tournament after an incredible opening six minutes.

Mauro Bergamasco, Andrea Scanavacca and Kaine Robertson all touched down to put the visitors 21-0 ahead.

Scotland hit back with tries from Rob Dewey and Chris Paterson to leave the score 17-24 after an hour.

But a late try from Alessandro Troncon and a further two penalties from Scanavacca helped Italy claim a famous win.

10) England 24-28 Ireland
March 19, 2006
Twickenham, London

A late, late score from wing Shane Horgan gave Ireland a second triple crown in three years.

Jamie Noon crossed early on for England but a try for Horgan and a pair of Ronan O'Gara penalties put Ireland 11-8 up at the break.

Steve Borthwick crossed for the hosts but Denis Leamy replied, while Andy Goode and O'Gara exchanged penalties which left England 24-21 up as injury-time arrived.

Although the video referee was called upon, he ruled Horgan's foot had not gone into touch and a Cheltenham week ended with further glory for Ireland.

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