By Gary Watton
April 6 2013
After being a force in European rugby in the early 1970s, the Oirish now went into a shell, as they searched for replacements for the legends of yesteryear. Consequently, the men in green were 'in transition', which is often cited as a euphemism for 'not very good'! Les Francais enjoyed a much better time as they employed a mere sixteen players in their conquest of all four home nations. Further match statistics can be burgled from www.espnscrum.com
WALES 25 IRELAND 9; 15th January; at Cardiff Arms Park
15 Wilson
14 Grace (c)
13 McKibbin
12 McIlrath
11 Bowen
10 Gibson [3 penalties]
9 McGrath
8 Duggan [SENT OFF]
7 Deering
6 McKinney
5 Hakin
4 Keane
3 Feighery
2 Whelan
1 Orr
Ireland led 6-0 at half time but the wheels came off after Willie Duggan and Geoff Wheel were sent off after a fracas.
IRELAND 0 ENGLAND 4; 5th February; at Lansdowne Road
15 Wilson
14 Grace (c)
13 McKibbin
12 McIlrath
11 Bowen
10 Gibson
9 McGrath
8 Duggan
7 Deering
6 McKinney
5 Hakin
4 Keane
3 Feighery
2 Whelan
1 Orr
England's fly half Martin Cooper recorded a try as England adapted much better to the wet conditions.
SCOTLAND 21 IRELAND 18; 19th February; at Murrayfield
15 Wilson
14 Grace(c)
13 McKibbin
12 Gibson [TRY, 2 penalties, conversion]
11 Bowen
10 Quinn [drop goal, penalty]
9 Robbie
8 Duggan
7 Slattery
6 McKinney
5 Murtagh
4 Keane
3 Byrne
2 Whelan
1 Orr
Debutant Bill Gammell recorded two tries as Scotland recovered from a 9-7 half time deficit to win narrowly.
IRELAND 6 FRANCE 15; 19th March; at Lansdowne Road
15 Ensor
14 Grace (c)
13 Finn
12 Gibson [penalty]
11 McLennan
10 Quinn [penalty]
9 Robbie
8 Duggan
7 Slattery
6 Steele
5 Hakin
4 Keane
3 Byrne
2 Whelan
1 Orr
Ireland actually led 6-3 at half time, but a try from Jean-Pierre Bastiat sealed a whitewash for the Oirish.
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