The morning: I remember there was a great buzz around Dublin. There were big expectations as we had come back from Wales with a win and were facing England, albeit that in 1993 it was the final match of the Five Nations Championship. The team meeting went really well, and we got a great response in the foyer of the Berkeley Court; we were clapped onto the bus. It felt like something special was going to happen.

Kick-off: It was windy and we opted to play against the elements. Everyone wanted to get on the pitch and get started; the players were up for it in a big way. We conceded a penalty from the kick-off. Paddy Johns cleaved Wade Dooley. Now he was a big man and I think he thought it was me because he got up and started pointing fingers. I was expecting a dig later in the match but it never materialised. I thanked Paddy at the next scrum!

The match: It seemed to fly by. It was the one game where I would say that things were near perfect. The crowd got behind us brilliantly and in fairness we did get the rub of the green. Eric (Elwood) had a superb match, keeping us going forward and the scoreboard ticking over. Everyone to a man played well, and everything went right. I remember thinking that midway through the second half that we had it. Our defence was excellent, one double tackle by Elwood and Denis McBride on Rory Underwood setting the tone for the afternoon.

His try: I suppose it sealed a great occasion. It came about four minutes from the end. We had been pounding their line and, given that it was late in the match, we were all sucking (wind) a little bit. It's fair to say that I was in the wrong place at the right time. Michael Bradley made a break on the shortside and just gave me the ball.

Post-match: There was champagne waiting for us in the hotel. We got a great reception from the crowds that were milling around. We were in the ante-room beside the dining room when Noel Murphy came in looking to see who was the most sober because we had to go on Kenny Live. So he picked out Terry Kingston and myself. We got another great reception there, it was a lovely experience and then we were whisked back for the dinner. I suppose it is the most memorable day I've had on the international scene: I'll treasure it.

(In conversation with John O'Sullivan)