By Gary Watton
April 28 2013
Leinster had won three out of the last four Heineken Cups while Ulster had made a dazzling start to the season, but once again Ireland could not translate their provincial pedigree into domination of the Six Nations. In this utterly depressing campaign, the Oirish contrived to lose to a mediocre England team and then lose to a subdued Scotland XV, before conceding a draw to a far from impressive France. At least Italy actually played quite well against us! Oh well, now that amiable Declan has walked the plank, t'aint no point in crying over spilled milk. Onwards and upwards, men in green!
WALES 22 IRELAND 30; 2nd February; at the Millennium Stadium
15 Kearney
14 Gilroy
13 O'Driscoll [TRY]
12 D'Arcy
11 Zebo [TRY]
10 Sexton [3 penalties, 3 conversions]
9 Murray
8 Heaslip (c)
7 O'Brien
6 O'Mahony
5 Ryan
4 McCarthy
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy [TRY]
At the start of the second half, Ireland led 30-3 but Wales replied with three tries from Cuthbert, Halfpenny, and Mitchell.
IRELAND 6 ENGLAND 12; 10th February; at Lansdowne Road
15 Kearney
14 Gilroy
13 O'Driscoll
12 D'Arcy
11 Zebo
10 Sexton [3 penalties]
9 Murray
8 Heaslip (c)
7 O'Brien
6 O'Mahony
5 Ryan
4 McCarthy
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy
Owen Farrell kicked two first-half penalties. Ronan O'Gara responded with two, before Farrell converted two more.
SCOTLAND 12 IRELAND 8; 24th February; at Murrayfield
15 Kearney
14 Gilroy [TRY]
13 O'Driscoll
12 Marshall
11 Earls
10 Jackson [penalty]
9 Murray
8 Heaslip (c)
7 O'Brien
6 O'Mahony
5 Ryan
4 O'Callaghan
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Court
A dominant Ireland only led 8-0 after fifty minutes and they were then punished by four Greig Laidlaw penalties.
IRELAND 13 FRANCE 13; 9th March; at Lansdowne Road
15 Kearney
14 McFadden
13 O'Driscoll
12 Marshall
11 Earls
10 Jackson [2 penalties, conversion]
9 Murray
8 Heaslip (c) [TRY]
7 O'Brien
6 O'Mahony
5 Ryan
4 McCarthy
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy
Ireland deservedly led 13-3 at the halfway point, but a converted try for Louis Picamoles earned France a draw.
ITALY 22 IRELAND 15; 16th March; in Rome
15 Kearney
14 Gilroy
13 O'Driscoll
12 Marshall
11 Earls
10 Jackson [5 penalties]
9 Murray
8 Heaslip (c)
7 O'Brien
6 O'Mahony
5 Ryan
4 McCarthy
3 Ross
2 Best
1 Healy
Italy led 9-6 at the halfway stage and then the winger Venditti scored the only try of the match to secure an historic win.