Six Nations: Ireland’s best tries against England
Ireland have been defensively superb while England have arguably played the best attacking rugby of the comeptition so far.
With that in mind we look back at five of the best Six Nations tries Ireland have scored against England.
Many Munster fans will point to the return of Keith Wood as the start of real professionalism in the province and his importance to Irish rugby's growth, going from solid test team to Championship material, cannot be underestimated.
His try against England at the old Lansdowne Road was on one of those days where everything went right and as Mick Galway said, it set the tone of the game.
When people think of Ireland’s great tries against England, Shane Horgan is a name that will continually come up. In 2006, with the chance to win a Triple Crown in Twickenham it looked as if it was going to be another unlucky defeat for Ireland until the final minutes.
After Ronan O’Gara’s chip was picked up by Brian O’Driscoll, the supporting Shane Horgan looked like he was going to add his second try but was held up right on the line. But the ball swung left then back right, toward Horgan and as his long arm reached for the line, it marked a famous win for Ireland. As one commentator, Michael Corcoran said, “Thanks be to the Lord God he’s 6’4” and not 5’7”.”
There isn’t a rugby fan in the country who doesn’t remember when England came to Croke Park in 2007. The tears of John Hayes during the anthems set the tone for the enormity of the game which was eight years ago this week.
On this date eight years ago - The Bull cried, Girv swerved, @Paul_OConnell ruled, Shaggy soared #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/JNCl3PsKxE
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 24, 2015
Shane Horgan’s try was the perfect example of how everything came together on the day, O’Gara’s cross field kick saw Horgan climb high mirroring the GAA stars who frequented the stadium, to finish off a superb move, and effectively finish the game as a contest.
In a year of magnificent moments from Brian O’Driscoll, his try against England was far from his most skilful score but its importance was huge. The Grand Slam was on the line and with Ireland hammering at the door O’Driscoll, who looked like had nothing left in the tank, took it upon his shoulders to dive for the line.
There were still two games to play after that win over England, not unlike this current Championship, against Scotland and Wales but the bravery and determination displayed by O’Driscoll to get over the line was symbolic of the team that went on to win the Grand Slam.
Martin Johnson’s England arrived in Dublin looking for the Grand Slam but Ireland had other ideas. The men in green dominated the early stages and the build up to their first try proved it.
After Toby Flood missed a penalty, Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan put pressure on England from the restart bringing play into the English half. England tried to clear their lines but as Jamie Heaslip crashed the ball up the England defence was caught offside and Johnathon Sexton’s quick thinking meant a quick tap and pass for Tommy Bowe to cut through the England defence and touch down.
An honourable mention also to Brian O’Driscoll who touched down in the second half to break the record for most Six Nations tries, with his 25th in the competition.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Watch a would-be robber knock himself out with a brick in Louth
