Profile
Ireland
Colours: Green
Honours: Six Nations Grand Slam (2009), Five Nations Grand Slam (1948), Five Nations (1932, 1935, 1949, 1951, 1974, 1982, 1983, 1985), Four Nations (1888, 1894, 1906).
Coach: Softly spoken Declan Kidney took over the Ireland reins after a disastrous 2007 Rugby World Cup, which saw the country fail to make the knockout stages, followed by further Six Nations woe under Eddie O'Sullivan. The latter had to go and announced his resignation in March after winning three Triple Crowns in his seven-year tenure. His successor has a knack of winning big trophies, however, and Kidney's record with Munster has transferred to Ireland as they claimed the Grand Slam in 2009.
Captain: Star centre Brian O'Driscoll was appointed to lead Ireland after the retirement of legendary hooker Keith Wood following the 2003 RWC. Probably the best backline player in world rugby, 'BOD' has shown before that captaincy brings out the best in his play, which could only be a good thing for Irish rugby. He was also British and Irish Lions captain on the 2005 tour to New Zealand, and the serious shoulder injury he suffered there in an alleged spear tackle by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu has not hampered his form since. South Africa in 2009 saw that.
Player to watch: While lock Paul O'Connell has been at the top of the game for years now and was among five shortlisted for the 2006 IRB player of the year as the only northern hemisphere nominee, Ireland seem to have unearthed a long-term international at full-back. Rob Kearney has been a regular for Leinster with his quick feet, dynamism, boot and solidity under the high ball key to his country...and the 2009 British & Irish Lions.
Profile: Despite having relatively low playing numbers, Irish rugby has a long and proud rugby tradition and, interestingly, is one of the few sports which unites northern and southern Ireland with the national team selected from players on both sides of the border.
But they have earned the tag of perennial underachievers, with pre-season optimism frequently ending in disappointment - as happened during 1999 World Cup when the team failed to make it to the quarter-finals after losing to Argentina.
In subsequent years Ireland's strength in depth improved markedly and the presence of Brian O'Driscoll ensured that interest amongst the young escalated. The traditional forward-based game employed by the team gave way to a far more exciting, 15-man approach, a style mirrored by Ireland's leading provinces, Munster, Leinster and Ulster, ensuring that the national team slowly climbed their way up the world rankings.
The progress reaped dividends in 2004 when the greens secured the Triple Crown - their second since 1949 - punctuating England's 22-match winning streak at Twickenham in the process. Despite a disappointing November series, they entered the 2005 Six Nations as favourites and duly won their first three matches, including a 19-13 win over England in Dublin. However a home defeat to France killed their dreams of a Grand Slam, a feat which was accomplished by Wales a week later when they beat the Irish 32-20 in Cardiff.
The following year proved equally inconsistent, though they did finish second to France in the Six Nations when uncertain victories over England, Scotland and Italy were balanced by a rout of Wales and a heavy loss to France. Their efforts did, however, bring them their second Triple Crown in three years, and they were awarded the first ever trophy for that particular feat.
2007 dawned bright for Irish rugby supporters, their souls fed by years of consistent improvement, and the announcement in March that the IRU was setting up a "High Performance Select Group" to nurture the best young talent enforced the belief that that trend is set to continue.
Again the national side were favourites for the Six Nations, but those hopes seemed over after a loss to France at Croke Park in what was widely regarded as one of the best rugby matches of recent years. However when France subsequently lost to England, the competition was thrown open and England, Ireland and France all went into the final weekend with a chance of lifting the trophy. Ireland thrashed Italy to give themselves an excellent chance, but a last-minute try by France in their win over Scotland ensured that France took the silverware due to a superior points difference.
However Ireland's defeat of England did secure their second consecutive Triple Crown, which was their third in four years, giving Irish fans the belief that they had the potential for a semi-final berth in the 2007 World Cup. A terrible tournament then followed with poor performances against all in their Pool.
Enter Declan Kidney for the outgoing Eddie O'Sullivan and Ireland secured a Grand Slam in 2009 and are looking strong again this time around.
