By Gary Watton
April 6 2013
1976 was a vintage year for Wales as they completed a clean sweep. It was a fairly forgettable one for the men in green, save for a third consecutive win at Twickers against an England team that were 'sadly' whitewashed. In mitigation, throughout the tournament the Oirish were missing stalwart open-side flanker, Fergus Slattery, and he certainly proved irreplaceable. The captaincy baton in this post-McBride era quickly passed from Gibson to Grace. Mike Gibson was an outstanding back, but his captaincy abilities were not quite so good. Team line-ups for our opponents can be sourced at www.espnscrum.com
FRANCE 26 IRELAND 3; 7th February; at Parc des Princes
15 Ensor
14 Grace
13 McIlrath
12 Gibson (c)
11 McMaster
10 McGann
9 Robbie [penalty]
8 Duggan
7 Deering
6 McKinney
5 Foley
4 Keane
3 O'Callaghan
2 Cantrell
1 Orr
A second-half penalty from John Robbie was of little consolation for Ireland's debutants, Brendan Foley and Phil Orr.
IRELAND 9 WALES 34; 21st February; at Lansdowne Road
15 Ensor
14 Grace (c)
13 Lavery
12 Gibson
11 McMaster
10 McGann [3 penalties]
9 Canniffe
8 Duggan
7 Deering
6 McKinney
5 Hakin
4 Keane
3 O'Callaghan
2 Cantrell
1 Orr
Ireland only trailed 10-9 at half time, but ended up conceding four tries for the second successive match.
ENGLAND 12 IRELAND 13; 6th March; at Twickenham
15 Ensor
14 Grace (c) [TRY]
13 Brady
12 Gibson
11 Blake-Knox
10 McGann [2 penalties, drop goal]
9 Canniffe
8 Steele
7 Deering
6 McKinney
5 Foley
4 Keane
3 O'Callaghan
2 Cantrell
1 Orr
Recovering from a 9-0 interval deficit, the Irish grabbed both points after Tom Grace pounced on a kick by McGann.
IRELAND 6 SCOTLAND 15; 20th March; at Lansdowne Road
15 Moloney.L
14 Grace (c)
13 Brady
12 Gibson
11 Blake-Knox
10 McGann [2 penalties]
9 Moloney.J
8 Duggan
7 Deering
6 McKinney
5 Hakin
4 Keane
3 O'Callaghan
2 Cantrell
1 Orr
Scotland's full back Andy Irvine kicked four penalties in a contest that had been deadlocked at 6-6 at half time.
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