WHEN, a few weeks ago, Ireland went to play France in Parc des Princes, the side was burdened by the fact that Ireland had never won at the ground. Next Saturday the team make the journey to Twickenham, which has proved an invulnerable fortress for all the countries in the International Championship in the 1990s, with one exception Ireland.
Over the last decade, visiting countries have found it more difficult to beat England at Twickenham than France in Paris. Scotland last won in Twickenham in 1983. Their best result since was a 12-12 draw in 1989. Wales last beat England in Twickenham in 1988. The French record there is very poor their last win on the ground was 19-15 in 1987.
Yet, in the 1990s, Wales, France and Scotland have all won the International Championship. Ireland has not, but still managed what the others could not do, to beat England at Twickenham. That wind was achieved against all expectations two years ago, and who will forget it and Simon Geoghegan's great try in particular. In fact, that score was one of several famous tries scored by Ireland at the ground.
As Ireland prepare for Saturday's test, memories of that great win should fortify them. And the tactical approach which Ireland adopted in that match is also worth careful study by the current Ireland management.
It is also worth noting that only one country in the five nations series has beaten England twice in the 1990s - Ireland. Those wins were achieved at Lansdowne Road in 1993, by 17-3, and then at Twickenham two years ago, 13-12. England failed to score a try in either match.
Initially a market garden, Twickenham was bought for £5,573 and opened in 1910. Some of Ireland's greatest wins have been achieved at the ground. The match there in 1910 was only the second international played at the ground and it ended in a scoreless draw.
Ireland also got a draw there in 1925, this time 6-6. That was the first appearance of George Beamish for Ireland, and Ireland scored two tries through Harry Stephenson and Tom Hewitt. In 1927, Ireland lost very unluckily by 8-6.
But two years later came the great day when Ireland won at Twickenham for the first time. That was only the second time England had lost a championship match at the ground, the initial defeat being inflicted by Scotland in 1926.
Eugene Davy, still happily with us, scored the first of Ireland's two tries in 1929, and his half back partner, Mark Sugden, got the other. Contemporary reports say that the celebrations that followed were protracted and without precedent.
Ireland went back and won there again in 1931 by 6-5 with a dropped goal from Paul Murray (whose granddaughter, Denise Fanagan, is now physiotherapist to the Ireland A side), and a try from Larry McMahon. The next victory was achieved at Twickenham in 1939 with a try from Sinclair Irwin and a conversion from Harry McKibbin. Both men subsequently became president of the IRFU and still follow the game avidly.
No win was more valuable than that achieved by 11-10 in 1948, for it was the prelude to Ireland's only Grand Slam. The team was captained by Karl Mullen. Centre Des McKee scored a try, as did Bill McKay, and the great Jack Kyle scored his first try for Ireland. Barney Mullan converted one. Paddy Reid, father in law of current Ireland manager Pat Whelan, was in the centre for Ireland that afternoon.
Ireland did not win at Twickenham again until 1964 and that was another famous victory. It marked the international debut of Mike Gibson, who gave a magnificent display in Ireland's 18-5 victory, the most comprehensive win attained by Ireland at Twickenham. The match was notable for two tries from Kevin Flynn, later to leave his mark at the venue again, one from Noel Murphy and a great try from Pat Casey.
Ireland got draws in 1966 and 1968, when England got a late penalty in controversial circumstances and Bob Hiller kicked the goal from the right touchline.
Then, in 1972, Kevin Flynn scored a magnificent try in injury time to give Ireland a 16-12 win. That season Ireland beat France and England away and were deprived of a Grand Slam chance when Wales and Scotland refused to travel to Dublin. That win in 1972 was the first of a hat trick of victories for Ireland at Twickenham. That achievement till stands alone, for no other country has scored three successive victories over England in the championship at Twickenham, where Wales won for the first time in 1933.
Ireland won again in Twickenham in 1982, and that season won Triple Crown and championship. The match against England will be especially remembered for a try by Gerry "Ginger" McLoughlin, as Ireland won 16-15 (a rather flattering score line for England, who scored a try and conversion in injury time). The next win by Ireland at Twickenham was that victory two years ago, when again a point separated the sides.
So on Saturday Ireland will return to a venue, where, through the years, many great wins have been attained, at times against the improbable. England will be going for a Triple Crown. No such reward is open to Ireland, but that will not diminish the will of the men in green.
They have walked from the famous ground victorious on 10 occasions. Some of those wins have been by a point Ireland would settle for the 11th win by a similar margin on Saturday.
