History Made With Easy Win

By Cathal Dervan

England 13
Ireland 43

ALL the talk in the big build-up to the historic Croke Park Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and England last Saturday was about the singing of the English anthem “God Save the Queen,” but in the end neither God nor the Queen could save England from a Dublin drubbing.

Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland are now just one win in Edinburgh away from a second consecutive Triple Crown after the Irish captain lived up to the words on a banner at the home of the GAA.

“Bod Save Our Gracious Team” it read and O’Driscoll did just that, his return to the center and to the captain’s armband a major factor in what was a huge improvement on the defeat to France two weeks earlier.

Ireland probably won’t get the championship they deserve after this performance unless England’s underachievers do them a huge favor and beat the table topping French at Twickenham in 10 days time.

But they will travel to Scotland, shocked by Italy at home on Saturday, in confident mood for their own date with Triple Crown history after a thoroughly emphatic win over the old enemy.

Have no doubt, England’s sweet chariot and the Six Nations record books were smashed into the ground by Ireland’s rugby heroes in a famous 30 point win after leading 23-3 at the break.

The record 43-13 scoreline was the biggest ever margin of success for any Irish side against England, and their fourth victory in a row over the side.

First half tries from Girvan Dempsey and David Wallace helped the home side to a 23-3 interval lead, with Shane Horgan and Isaac Boss crossing the English line after the break to complete the rout.

Ronan O’Gara, now past 700 points in championship rugby, added five penalties and three conversions and a brilliant crossfield kick for the Horgan try, with substitute Paddy Wallace completing the rout with the final conversion off the last try, scored by fellow Ulster star Boss in the dying minutes.

England in return could only open the scoring with a Jonny Wilkinson penalty, and added a second half try from debutant David Strettle and another penalty and conversion from Wilko in the whitewash.

Ironically, one Englishman played his part in his nation’s rugby downfall on what was a splendid sporting occasion on Saturday, with both coach Eddie O’Sullivan and captain O’Driscoll thanking the former England international Brian Moore for branding them chokers after the France game.

Moore made the comments in an Internet column after the late collapse against the French, but the Irish camp rubbed his nose in it after the result that leaves them one win away from a second successive Triple Crown.

“There were lots of motivating factors out there today and one of them was being called chokers by sections of the English media,” confirmed a gloating O’Sullivan.

“That was a huge factor for the players. We also wanted the win to get back in the championship race after the French side, we wanted to keep the Triple Crown bid on show and we didn’t want to lose our last game in Croke Park for a year.

“We didn’t want to leave here for 12 months after two losses, and the players really wanted to bounce back after a sickening defeat to France which is exactly what they did with one of the best and most complete performances in my time as coach.”

O’Driscoll also cast aspersions in Moore’s direction. “What really hurt about the French game was the fact that we didn’t put in an 80 minute performance, but what added to the motivation today was being called chokers after that match,” he confessed.

“We didn’t feel anything of the sort after the France game. We knew there was a lapse in concentration, and these games are so close that if you don’t play for the 90 minutes you will be punished, so that was a factor as well.

“The chokers line was an added element of motivation but not the sole thing. We wanted to show that we are capable of bouncing back which we did, and a massive factor was the need to repay the GAA for allowing us to play in this great stadium.

“We wanted to sign off for Croke Park for this year with a great performance and a victory. We didn’t deliver that against France, and there was no way we wanted to lose two games in our inaugural year here. That sticks out in the mind and thankfully we delivered today for the fans.”

Tears flowed as the cameras panned down the line of Irish players for the national anthem, and while O’Driscoll didn’t well up he did understand where the emotions of his teammates were coming from.

He added, “It was a phenomenal occasion. We knew it was going to surpass the France game simply because Ireland-England games in Dublin are always huge events. Croke Park and the disappointment of losing to France added to that and it all culminated in one of the most memorable atmospheres that I have ever played in.

“It’s certainly one that will stick in the mind for a long, long time. It was a very special moment for the anthem. That’s as loud as I have heard the anthem and I can understand the passion of the lads who were crying.

“We will have a look at it on video and give them a hard time but it shows what it means to the 22 lads to be out there and involved in a game like that.

“There is no point having that passion on your face without showing it your actions and we did that. That’s what people will be judged on. The good thing is that we also delivered one of the most complete performances of my time in the side.

“Great teams are the ones who can continue to improve and bounce back after defeats, and we did that today.”

Man of the Match Paul O’Connell was thrilled with the defeat. “Two weeks ago against France, we wanted to do the occasion justice and we probably didn’t. I don’t think I did anything special out there. The whole pack was working so hard.

“We played very clever, good rugby. We held on to the ball and put points on the board whether it was penalties or tries. The scores kept racking up although we had a bad period at the start of the second half which kind of worked us up and we dominated the rest of the second half. With the whole pack working so hard it was enjoyable to play out there.”

The English side paid tribute to the Irish victors after the match, and also the sense of history at Croke Park.

“Despite the defeat it was great to be part of such a historic occasion. The atmosphere was absolutely phenomenal and the crowd was superb,” said England back Josh Lewsey.

“There had been a lot of talk during the week about the national anthem being played there but everyone was very respectful and that’s what you get when you go to Ireland, they are an immensely sporting crowd.”

England star Jonny Wilkinson said, “I think Ireland are capable of beating anyone which means they must be in the top three in the world but for me rugby doesn’t work like that. I don’t believe in world rankings. It is down to playing your best in a game and if you are not at your best, you must stay in the game and win it.”

Ireland will now prepare for the visit to Scotland with no injury worries after O’Sullivan confirmed both O’Driscoll (hamstring) and Gordon D’Arcy (groin) will be 100% fit by the fixture on Saturday, March 10.

Ireland: Dempsey; Horgan, B. O’Driscoll (capt.), D’Arcy, Hickie; O’Gara, Stringer; Horan, R. Best, Hayes, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, S Easterby, D. Wallace, Leamy.

Replacements: Flannery, S. Best, N. Best, M. O’Driscoll, Boss, P. Wallace, Trimble.

England: Morgan; Lewsey, Tindall, Farrell, Strettle; Wilkinson, Ellis; Freshwater, Chuter, Vickery (capt.), Deacon, Grewcock, Worsley, Lund, Corry.

Replacements: Mears, White, Palmer, Rees, Perry, Flood, Tait.