Six historic victories England vs Ireland at Twickenham
The six greatest victories of England vs Ireland on English soil, from the “crazy octopus” to the prawn sandwich brigade, are commemorated. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book Ireland Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
1974 Six Nations: England 21-26 Ireland
Ireland was always the stronger team in this matchup, even in the mid-1970s. Their roster included famous players like Mike Gibson, Willie John McBride, Fergus Slattery, Ray McLoughlin, Moss Keane, and others. They won five straight Five Nations matches against England. About fifty years ago, at a chilly and brittle Twickenham, Gibson’s quiet genius captured the attention of a wide-eyed nine-year-old.
The game ended with Ireland scoring four tries to one and the visitor’s pack losing badly. Before Gibson scored twice, both times quietly entering the game at the perfect moment, Johnny Moloney, the watchful visitor scrum-half, took advantage of a handful of English mistakes to start the scoring in the second half. When you watch the game now, you’ll notice that the backs of both teams look more like human Twiglets than the professionals of today who are built like gym rats.
However, Gibson exuded the grace and dignity that would have made him stand out in any period. In the highly competitive rugby match known as the Six Nations Championship, England took against Ireland in the Five Nations Championship. England had a commanding lead, but Ireland fought back with tenacity and talent to win 26–21 and create history.
Ireland overcame the odds to defeat their English opponents in a match that demonstrated both their tenacity and the unpredictable nature of rugby. This triumph, hailed by both players and fans for its remarkable demonstration of talent and tenacity, continues to be a pivotal point in Irish rugby history.
1982 Six Nations: England 15-16 Ireland
Though it is difficult to imagine now, Ireland hadn’t won a grand slam or even a triple crown since the late 1940s when they arrived at Twickenham. Under the command of their army officer captain, Ciarán Fitzgerald, this was to be the year they broke through that unproductive streak. Rugby fans can book England vs Ireland Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Importantly, they also boasted the legendary Ollie Campbell, who had become the starting fly-half after beating out Tony Ward. The scoreboard showed that Ireland had won 16–15, giving them a thrilling tight victory over England. Fans and players alike were left with lasting impressions of the game because of its dramatic moments and fierce rivalry.
A significant chapter in the history of the Six Nations is Ireland’s victory against England in 1982. It brought to light the excitement of close-quarters rugby matches and the unpredictable nature of the sport. Ireland jumped out to a 10-3 lead thanks to Campbell’s kick. One of the most famous tries in Irish rugby history was also set up by a deft ball exchange with Slattery.
For the game’s pivotal try, did Gerry “Ginger” McLoughlin drag the entire Irish pack over the line with him? “Three years ago, McLoughlin recalled this in an RTE documentary: “Someone said I ran 25 yards.” I think I only ran four or so. The ball passed through roughly four hands in pairs. It was towards the end that I happened to come along.”
1994 Six Nations: England 12-13 Ireland
When Ireland took on an England side that had not lost at home since 1988. They had not triumphed at Twickenham in twelve years. With Simon Geoghegan, the wing, as their hero, the visitors finally had someone to break the mould. Throughout a challenging period for Ireland, Bill McLaren. He has been compared to “a crazy octopus” and “as quick as a trout up a burn,” but did not always see much ball.
But on this specific day, the visitors brought valuable quick ball for their sly backs and dug out a Rob Andrew drop-out with intent. The English cover was racing across the field by the time Richard Wallace passed to him, but Geoghegan skinned Tony Underwood before racing past Jon Callard’s tackle to score. Unfortunately, Geoghegan’s Test career ended in 1996 at the age of 27, due to a persistent toe ailment.
2004 Six Nations: England 13-19 Ireland
A decade later, context still mattered greatly. England was the world champions and had not lost at home in five years, but they were beginning to lose their cohesiveness as a team. But it stirred the pre-match pot beautifully when Brian O’Driscoll casually mentioned that Ireland hoped to disappoint the “prawn sandwich brigade” at Twickenham. Clive Woodward shot back, “I think you’ll see a big display from England. We communicate on the pitch.”
Other than the fact that I don’t eat prawn sandwiches, I have nothing to say to Brian O’Driscoll. My favourite combination is chicken and tomato. But the outsiders, ranked 8-1, were going to make him regret what he had said. The brilliant Gordon D’Arcy broke through the defence at a distance of 65 meters in the 50th minute to start a multiphase attack that saw full-back Girvan Dempsey score in the left corner. It set Ireland, under Eddie O’Sullivan’s coaching, up for their first triple title in nineteen years.
2006 Six Nations: England 24-28 Ireland
Another Irish triple crown, another team coached by O’Sullivan. This time, their large winger Shane Horgan stole the show with two tries, the second of which erased England’s advantage of 24–21 in the 78th minute. Horgan was first stopped by a superb challenge by Lewis Moody, but Ronan O’Gara’s skilful chip and a quick O’Driscoll put him away.
But when Ireland brought the ball back, Horgan managed to ground it under a second Moody tackle, much to the delight of the TV match referee. Inflicting more suffering on England, O’Gara kicked the touchline conversion, which allowed Steve Borthwick to score his first and only Six Nations try.
Their head coach, Andy Robinson, expressed his resignation, attributing his team’s Six Nations struggles to a harsh schedule of home games. “Whether I’m involved or another person comes in, we have to get a grip of our structure,” Robinson said. Later in the year, he would lose his job.
2018 Six Nations: England 15-24 Ireland
England has never felt more at home on their soil. It seemed like a green day even before the visitors secured only the third grand slam in their history. With Ireland aiming for a grand slam on St. Patrick’s Day. Ireland, who had already won the tournament, decimated the local crowd with tries in the first half from Garry Ringrose, CJ Stander, and Jacob Stockdale, leading 21–5 at the break.
Although Stockdale’s try gave him the record for most individual tries scored in a Six Nations season. Tadhg Furlong’s versatility, Rory Best’s team cohesiveness, and Joe Schmidt’s attention to detail were all very impressive.
The latter, who had orchestrated three Six Nations championships in five years, surmised that Ireland would be more successful in them. In contrast, England had its lowest finish in thirty-one years, trailing in fifth place in the table.
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