By Gary Watton
April 6 2013
A new prodigy had arrived called Tony Ward, which was just as well as Mike Gibson's career was approaching its finale. Meanwhile Tom Grace was relieved of the captaincy in favour of John Moloney. An improved Ireland at least avoided a whitewash, while elsewhere the mighty Welsh were just too good for everyone else, and helped themselves to another grand slam. The team line-ups for our opponents can be located on www.espnscrum.com
IRELAND 12 SCOTLAND 9; 21st January; at Lansdowne Road
15 Ensor
14 Grace
13 McKibbin
12 McNaughton
11 McLennan
10 Ward [2 penalties, conversion]
9 Moloney (c)
8 Duggan
7 Slattery
6 O'Driscoll
5 Spring
4 Keane
3 Fitzpatrick
2 Whelan
1 Orr
Substitute Stewart McKinney scored the match's only try as a new-look Ireland reached half time with a twelve-six lead.
FRANCE 10 IRELAND 9; 18th February; at Parc des Princes
15 Ensor
14 Gibson
13 McKibbin
12 McNaughton
11 McLennan
10 Ward [3 penalties]
9 Moloney (c)
8 Duggan
7 Slattery
6 McKinney
5 Steele
4 Keane
3 Byrne
2 Whelan
1 Orr
The only score in the second half was a Ward penalty as Ireland came close to an elusive win at this Parisian venue.
IRELAND 16 WALES 20; 4th March; at Lansdowne Road
15 Ensor
14 Gibson
13 McKibbin
12 McNaughton
11 McLennan
10 Ward [3 penalties, drop goal]
9 Moloney (c) [TRY]
8 Duggan
7 Slattery
6 McKinney
5 Steele
4 Keane
3 Byrne
2 Whelan
1 Orr
Steve Fenwick plundered sixteen points as Wales clinched the triple crown. The visitors had led 13-6 at half time.
ENGLAND 15 IRELAND 9; 18th March; at Twickenham
15 Ensor
14 Gibson
13 McKibbin
12 McNaughton
11 McLennan
10 Ward [2 penalties, drop goal]
9 Moloney (c)
8 Duggan
7 Slattery
6 McKinney
5 Steele
4 Keane
3 Byrne
2 Whelan
1 Orr
The hosts recorded a try in each half, as they finished the season with four points, double the tally for the Irish.
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