EIGHT YEARS ON, the call doesn’t get any easier to understand. The last time Ireland were involved in a final day decider reminiscent of tomorrow’s slate of crackers was back in 2007, when Eddie O’Sullivan’s men were trying to pip France.
If you recall, Ireland’s glorious backline cut loose in the Roman sunshine, running in eight fabulous tries in a 51-24 win. But crucially, they conceded two late scores, which ended up proving decisive.
France played Scotland in Paris after the Ireland game, knowing a win by 24 points or more would give them their second consecutive Six Nations title and their fourth in six seasons.
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With five minutes to go it looked like they had the championship sealed, leading 39-14. But then Euan Murray scored a try for Scotland leading to a mad last-minute scramble by the home side.
It ended with Elvis Vermeulen trying to ground the ball as the clock went dead. Craig Joubert went to the TMO, Simon McDowell, who just happened to be Irish.
These were some of the angles he would have seen.
It looks like the Scottish defender got his arm under the ball but the TMO awarded the try and France snatched the Six Nations from Ireland’s grasp.
And although Ireland were denied, it remains one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the championship.
This year we have 3.5 teams in contention so it should be even better (although ideally, there won’t be another incident like that Vermeulen try).
Remember the time an Irish TMO denied Ireland the Six Nations in a points difference thriller?
EIGHT YEARS ON, the call doesn’t get any easier to understand. The last time Ireland were involved in a final day decider reminiscent of tomorrow’s slate of crackers was back in 2007, when Eddie O’Sullivan’s men were trying to pip France.
If you recall, Ireland’s glorious backline cut loose in the Roman sunshine, running in eight fabulous tries in a 51-24 win. But crucially, they conceded two late scores, which ended up proving decisive.
France played Scotland in Paris after the Ireland game, knowing a win by 24 points or more would give them their second consecutive Six Nations title and their fourth in six seasons.
With five minutes to go it looked like they had the championship sealed, leading 39-14. But then Euan Murray scored a try for Scotland leading to a mad last-minute scramble by the home side.
It ended with Elvis Vermeulen trying to ground the ball as the clock went dead. Craig Joubert went to the TMO, Simon McDowell, who just happened to be Irish.
These were some of the angles he would have seen.
It looks like the Scottish defender got his arm under the ball but the TMO awarded the try and France snatched the Six Nations from Ireland’s grasp.
And although Ireland were denied, it remains one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the championship.
This year we have 3.5 teams in contention so it should be even better (although ideally, there won’t be another incident like that Vermeulen try).
For what its worth, that TMO’s son apparently rang him afterwards and said he thought his dad made a mistake. You weren’t the only one, kid.
The Irish team most likely to win a Six Nations title this weekend has named a strong XV
Super Rugby has a new juggernaut and they look irresistible at the moment
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