| Classy Ireland in Twickers treble
 By
Graham Clifford
ENGLAND 24
IRELAND 28
What a way to win the Triple Crown and complete a hat-trick of victories
over the auld enemy!
There wasn’t a dry Irish eye left in Twickenham last weekend as
Ireland celebrated a second Triple Crown under Eddie O’Sullivan
and the first-ever at the home of English rugby.
The history books had to be re-written after a late Shane Horgan try in
the corner meant the new RBS Triple Crown shield would be crossing the
Irish Sea to settle in its first-ever home.
This also was the first time in 30 years that Ireland defeated the English
three times in a row in International rugby and with England travelling
to Dublin next year who would bet against four back-to-back wins over
the World Champions?
Twickenham may never have witnessed such scenes as those which erupted
at the end of the pulsating clash when The Fields Of Athenry and Ole Ole
Ole reverberated from every corner of the wonderful stadium.
It was one hell of an achievement by an Irish side who began this year’s
Championship slowly only really hitting top gear in this the final game.
But with three minutes remaining it looked like Eddie O’Sullivan’s
men were going to come up short on their Triple Crown adventure. Cue Irish
swagger — a Ronan O’Gara chip, collected by Brian O’Driscoll
set up Meathman Horgan who charged for the line. Was he in touch? Who
cares. The fourth official deemed it a try and an entire nation both north
and south started to celebrate.
This incidentally was the highest score an Irish side had ever posted
against England and aided by a huge lump of luck and brave refereeing
Ireland fully deserved this win though some in the mainstream English
media might say otherwise.
Watching captain O’Driscoll and Ireland celebrate their second Triple
Crown in three years memories of an off-colour display against Italy in
their Championship opener were pushed to the back of the mind. The suicidal
opening 20 minutes in Paris were also temporarily erased. The fact is
Ireland peaked at the right time, in the right place and against the right
side.
Andy Robinson and his English charges have been in turmoil since the World
Cup as teams now know how to defeat the former Kingpins of world rugby.
There’s a very definite shift in the Northern Hemisphere game and
the name on everyone’s lips these days is Ireland. Since winning
the World Cup England have lost five tests to home nations, three to Ireland
and once against both Scotland and Wales. In sharp contrast the men in
Green have lost only to Wales when the men from the valleys won the Grand
Slam last year.
A beaming Eddie O’Sullivan said after the win over England that
Ireland can now aim higher and believe they have what it takes to go one
better and lift the Six Nations trophy next year and predicts his side
can go far in the World Cup.
He said: “We’re not going to get carried away with this because
we’re not done yet. There’s more to come from this team. This
tournament has been very important in terms of the World Cup. The tougher
it is, the more we benefit as a squad. It’s been a real dogfight.
Some people may be disappointed that they didn’t see much flowing,
end-to-end rugby but all the teams are in transition. The value of this
will be seen next year in the World Cup.”
O’Sullivan who let down his usually cagey composed guard after seeing
his side parade around Twickenham with the Triple Crown shield continued:
“You’ll get a kick in the backside if you think you’ve
solved it. The key now is to stay on the horse and get even better. That’s
the whole point of transition. We’ll continue that on the summer
tour. But the fact we’re improving all the time is pleasing. We’re
mentally tougher as well. If you cave in when the chips are down, you’re
not going to get far.”
And caving in was something Ireland weren’t prepared to do in Twickenham
on Saturday. Massive performances from the likes of the wonderful Paul
O’Connell, the consistently reliable Denis Leamy — who used
all his experience to create a vital try — the find of the year
Jerry Flannery as well as many others ensured only one side was going
to leave with those two vital Championship points.
The player however who epitomised the confidence and desire of this Irish
side was undoubtedly the star winger Shane Horgan. Bagging two tries that
most would have squandered the Leinster man used all his skill, speed
and know-how to ground both when it seemed like the referee’s whistle
was going to blow at any stage.
Describing the first Horgan recalled: “It was chipped through by
Brian O’Driscoll. There was a lot of spin on it and Ben Cohen fumbled.
I managed to nip around the corner and get a foot on it and finished it
off.î”
And what of that second try, the one that will be replayed over and over
again for decades to come?
Horgan said: “There was intensive work by the forwards and then
it was actually Peter Stringer, magnificent vision from him. He took it
on a little run around the ruck and threw it over the top to me. It was
just about trying to stay out of touch and get the ball down. I was pretty
confident when Ronan O’Gara jumped on me and started roaring. That
made me a little more confident but I wasn’t sure until I saw the
video afterwards and it looked pretty conclusive I think.”
Stringer — the key to setting up Horgan for the matchwinner —
now believes Ireland can progress further as a unit. The Munster man who
has had his best ever Six Nations campaign said: “There was a belief
in the squad from day one of the Six Nations that we are a quality side
capable of playing good rugby. We are flying high at the moment and are
building as a squad. Some younger guys have come in and have taken to
the challenge very well. It will be a difficult tour to New Zealand and
Australia but we have gone from strength to strength in each game.’
Just a few short months ago Ireland’s chances of glory in the Six
Nations looked highly unlikely. With the irreplaceable Brian O’Driscoll
still recovering from his injury while with the British and Irish Lions
and Paul O’Connell nursing a serious hand injury Eddie O’Sullivan
must have hoped that his side could do enough to finish in the top three.
Ireland have now leap-frogged England in the world rankings coming in
as the fifth strongest side in world rugby. Many would argue this is the
strongest side in the history of Irish rugby. I’m sure Andy Robinson
will as he licks his wounds after yet another defeat to the hands of Eddie
O’Sullivan’s Ireland. Now focus moves to the summer tour of
the Southern hemisphere plenty of time then to gloat and reminisce on
an amazing six months for Irish Rugby.
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