By Gary Watton
February 18 2014

My latest party trick has been to unearth the drawn encounters in the Four/Five/Six Nations that have involved Ireland. These results are a case of what might have been for both protagonists as one missed penalty or failed dropped goal attempt or spilled pass could have made all the difference between success and failure. Instead of which, it was a case of honours even in the following bizarre contests!  

2013: IRELAND 13 France 13; 9th March

An early converted try for Jamie Heaslip helped Ireland into a 13-3 interval lead, but a late converted try for Louis Picamoles rescued a point for les Bleus.

2012: France 17 IRELAND 17; 4th March

Two Tommy Bowe tries, both of which were converted, gave Ireland a 17-6 lead at half time. However, a Fofana try in the second half prevented an away win.

1994: IRELAND 6 Scotland 6; 5th March

Eric Elwood and Gavin Hastings shared four penalties as this tussle ended in a bore draw. Ireland had led 3-0 at the halfway stage.

1991: Wales 21 IRELAND 21; 16th February

Ireland outscored their hosts by four tries to one, but still had to settle for a point. The tries came from Clarke, Geoghegan, Mullin, and Staples.

1985: IRELAND 15 France 15; 2nd March

Didier Codorniou and Patrick Esteve scored the match's only tries, but Michael Kiernan responded with four first-half penalties and one in the second half.

1979: Scotland 11 IRELAND 11; 3rd March

Colin Patterson recorded a try in each half, but the hosts also grabbed a try in each half. None of the four tries were converted! Scotland led 7-4 at half time.

1979: IRELAND 9 France 9; 20th January

Alain Caussade managed a second-half try, converted by Aguirre, but Tony Ward kicked three penalties for Ireland, who narrowly led 6-3 at the interval.

1974: IRELAND 9 Wales 9; 2nd February

Tony Ensor kicked two first-half penalties and another after the interval. Phil Bennett also added a second-half penalty to add to an earlier try from JJ Williams.

1971: IRELAND 9 France 9; 30th January

Edwin Grant achieved a try in the second half of his debut, but it was not converted. The replacement Barry O'Driscoll kicked two penalties for the home team.

1968: England 9 IRELAND 9; 10th February

The captain Tom Kiernan converted two first-half penalties that ensured a six-six interval score. He added another after the interval.

1966: England 6 IRELAND 6; 12th February

Dick Greenwood recorded a try on his debut for the hosts but Paddy McGrath also grabbed a try for the visitors. England had led 6-3 at the interval.

1965: IRELAND 3 France 3; 23rd January

The flanker Mick Doyle scored a try on his debut, while France also managed an unconverted try, courtesy of Christian Darrouy.

1963: IRELAND 0 England 0; 9th February

Full back Brian Marshall and Eamonn McGuire won their first Irish cap in this pointless skirmish. This draw ultimately denied England a grand slam.

1962: IRELAND 3 Wales 3; 17th November

The hosts narrowly avoided a whitewash, in this re-arranged contest. English's drop goal gave the Irish an interval lead, but Hodgson replied with a penalty.

1955: IRELAND 6 England 6; 12th February

Tries from Jeff Butterfield and George Hastings provided England with a 6-3 lead at the halfway stage. However, Ireland rescued a point in the second half.

1953: IRELAND 9 England 9; 14th February

Maurice Mortell obtained a second-half try while Noel Henderson kicked two penalties, as Ireland fought back from a 3-0 interval deficit.

1951: Wales 3 IRELAND 3; 10th March

Jackie Kyle helped himself to a first-half try but a penalty from debutant Ben Edwards denied Ireland the grand slam. The match was tied 3-3 at half time.

1950: France 3 IRELAND 3; 28th January

Scrum half John Burges converted a second-half penalty to ensure a share of the spoils. This was also his first cap. France had led 3-0 at the halfway stage. 

1929: IRELAND 5 Wales 5; 9th March

A converted try for fly half Eugene Davy presented Ireland with a 5-0 interval lead at Ravenhill. However, Frank Williams scored a converted try in response.

1925: England 6 IRELAND 6; 14th February

Alastair Smallwood bagged two first-half tries for England, but the visitors replied with two after the interval, from Tom Hewitt and Henry Stephenson.

1910: England 0 IRELAND 0; 12th February

This pointless affair would ultimately deny England a grand slam, as the hosts managed to comfortably win their two remaining encounters. 

1900: IRELAND 0 Scotland 0; 24th February

1896: IRELAND 0 Scotland 0; 15th February

1893: IRELAND 0 Scotland 0; 18th February

1890: IRELAND 1 Wales 1; 1st March

On St David's Day, both teams recorded a converted try, thereby scoring one goal each!