Ireland in the Five Nations of 1987

Ciaran Fitzgerald was now given the elbow as big Donal Lenihan led Ireland during an encouraging Five Nations campaign. Only a narrow defeat in Edinburgh against a formidable Scotland team prevented another triple crown season. However, the wheels came off when Ireland lost in a mediocre display against Wales in the inaugural World Cup. To everyone's surprise, Wales progressed to the semi-finals, while Ireland were soundly beaten 33-15 in the quarter-finals by Australia. 

IRELAND 17 ENGLAND 0; 7th February; at Lansdowne Road

15 MacNeill

14 Ringland

13 Mullin

12 Kiernan [TRY, penalty, conversion]

11 Crossan [TRY]

10 Dean

9 Bradley

8 Anderson

7 Carr

6 Matthews [TRY]

5 Glennon

4 Lenihan (c)

3 Fitzgerald

2 Harbison

1 Orr

In very wet conditions, the hosts grabbed two second half-tries from Ulstermen Matthews and then Crossan to win easily.

SCOTLAND 16 IRELAND 12; 21st February; at Murrayfield

15 MacNeill

14 Ringland

13 Mullin

12 Kiernan [drop goal, penalty, conversion]

11 Crossan

10 Dean

9 Bradley

8 Anderson

7 Carr

6 Matthews

5 Glennon

4 Lenihan (c) [TRY]

3 Fitzgerald

2 Harbison

1 Orr

Ireland's annual tormentor Roy Laidlaw sneaked another try to cancel out Donal Lenihan's earlier effort. 

IRELAND 13 FRANCE 19; 21st February; at Lansdowne Road

15 MacNeill

14 Ringland [TRY]

13 Mullin

12 Kiernan [penalty, conversion]

11 Crossan

10 Dean

9 Bradley [TRY]

8 Spillane

7 Anderson

6 Matthews

5 Glennon

4 Lenihan (c)

3 Fitzgerald

2 Harbison

1 Orr

In a repeat score of 1981, France won the coveted 'Grand Chelem', after Ireland had rocked them with an early 10-0 lead.

WALES 11 IRELAND 15; 4th April; at Cardiff Arms Park

15 MacNeill

14 Ringland

13 Mullin [TRY]

12 Kiernan [penalty, 2 conversions]

11 Crossan

10 Dean [TRY]

9 Bradley

8 Spillane

7 Carr

6 Matthews

5 Anderson

4 Lenihan (c)

3 Fitzgerald

2 Harbison

1 Orr

The Leinster duo of Dean and Mullin were the try-scoring heroes as Ireland this time finished strongly, after a bad start.