By Gary Watton
April 15 2013
After the many tries that they scored in the previous year's tournament, coupled with a promising World Cup campaign, Ireland unfortunately took a step back into whitewash, wooden spoon territory once more. Elsewhere, a rampant England achieved back-to-back grand slam triumphs.
IRELAND 15 WALES 16; 18th January; at Lansdowne Road
15 Staples
14 Wallace [TRY]
13 Mullin
12 Curtis
11 Crossan
10 Keyes [3 penalties, conversion]
9 Saunders
8 Robinson
7 Fitzgibbon
6 Matthews (c)
5 Francis
4 Lenihan
3 Fitzgerald
2 Smith
1 Popplewell
Debutant Stuart Davies scored a second-half try to earn Wales a narrow win. Ireland had again led 9-6 at the interval.
ENGLAND 38 IRELAND 9; 1st February; at Twickenham
15 Staples
14 Wallace
13 Mullin
12 Curtis
11 Geoghegan
10 Keyes [TRY, penalty, conversion]
9 Aherne
8 Robinson
7 Fitzgibbon
6 Matthews (c)
5 Francis
4 Galwey
3 Halpin
2 Smith
1 Popplewell
Full back Jonathan Webb accumulated 22 points in this rout, including two tries. England were leading 24-9 at half time.
IRELAND 10 SCOTLAND 18; 15th February; at Lansdowne Road
15 Murphy
14 Wallace [TRY]
13 Mullin
12 Danaher
11 Geoghegan
10 Keyes [2 penalties]
9 Aherne
8 Robinson
7 Fitzgibbon
6 Matthews (c)
5 Francis
4 Galwey
3 Halpin
2 Smith
1 Popplewell
A second-half Richard Wallace try was a mere consolation as Scotland also grabbed a try in each half of this victory.
FRANCE 44 IRELAND 12; 21st March; at Parc des Princes
15 Murphy
14 Wallace
13 Curtis
12 Danaher (c)
11 Geoghegan
10 McAleese [4 penalties]
9 Aherne
8 Robinson
7 Fitzgibbon
6 Hogan
5 Galwey
4 Rigney
3 Halpin
2 Smith
1 Popplewell
Debutant Derek McAleese kicked two penalties in each half, but the French helped themselves to a total of seven tries!
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