Ireland Play for RBS Six Nations Grand Slam
Ireland Chase a First Grand Slam Since 1948
Mar 19, 2009
When Wales played Ireland at Croke Park last year, Jack Kyle and the surviving members of his 1948 Grand Slam team, Ireland’s only win so far, were introduced to the crowd and the IRFU released a commemorative DVD. Ironically, Wales beat Ireland to win the Triple Crown and the following week, duly completed their second Grand Slam in four years.
The ‘Golden Generation’ Haven’t Won the Championship
The current Irish crop, including the outstanding Brian O’Driscoll has been dubbed, 'The Golden Generation’, by the press and supporters alike, but has singularly failed to deliver. Since the Italians were admitted to the tournament in 2000, Ireland has never won it. They have won three Triple Crown 's in that period, but has not made the leap to the next level.
This statistic is made worse by the fact that Ireland’s fixture list is weighed in their favour every other year. Both France and England who have been the tournament heavyweights in recent times play in Ireland in the same season. This should give Ireland a strong advantage during the odd years, but still they have failed to win that coveted Grand Slam.
Can Ireland follow Munster’s Example?
Parallels can be drawn between Ireland and their top regional side Munster. Munster plays an effective but very limited game. A juggernaut pack driven forward by the boot of Ronan O’Gara choke the life out of the opposition and look to score close range tries.Munster has perennially made the latter stages of the Heineken Cup, but until recently always fell short of the top prize.
Gwyn Jones, ex-captain of Wales analysed Ireland’s game on the BBC Wales programme Scrum V. In it he highlighted how Ireland play a field position based game, only running when there’s a very obvious chance to score. O’Gara puts pressure on the opposition by playing the ball into the corners and looking for the strong Irish lineout, led by Paul O’Connell to steal ball close to the opposition line.
Jones also pointed out that O’Gara one of Ireland’s greatest strengths, is also one of their biggest liabilities. He is one of the team’s weakest defenders and they have to constantly re-arrange their defensive line to stop teams taking advantage of that.
Last week's win over Scotland has given what must be the last chance for the Golden Generation. The stars of the fixture list won’t re-align for another two years, and despite the addition of some exciting youngsters, this talented but ageing team must surely be spit up after this summer’s British Lions tour to South Africa.
Wales are no Pushovers
A game in Cardiff, however, is not the stroll in the park it was when Ireland were unbeaten there from 1985-2003. Even though they have been off colour after an excellent opening hour against Scotland, Wales have proved difficult to beat whilst not playing well. Even in the loss to France, they were in the game and could have scored with seconds to go. Wales also have game breakers in the form of Shane Williams, Gavin Henson, and Lee Byrne who can trouble any defence and coach Warren Gatland knows many of the Irish players from his time in charge of them.
This game is likely to be close, but these factors and Wales’ home advantage may be too much for Ireland to overcome, leaving them as Six Nations Champions, but also leaving Jack Kyle’s class of ’48 as Ireland’s only Grand Slammers.
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