Ireland in the Six Nations of 2007

Just when it seemed that it couldn't get much better than two triple crowns in three years, it did, as Ireland achieved remarkable back-to-back triple crown triumphs. The men in green were clearly the undisputed kings of rugby union in the British Isles. However, in this new Croke Park era, whilst Lansdowne Road was receiving a much-needed facelift, the French remained the team to beat as the grand slam continued to prove annoyingly elusive. Worthy of special mention was Ireland's destruction of the once-mighty England at Croke Park on a poignant day when old hostilities were forgotten, and rugby mercifully did the talking instead.

WALES 9 IRELAND 19; 4th February; at the Millennium Stadium

15 Dempsey

14 Trimble

13 O'Driscoll (c) [TRY]

12 D'Arcy

11 Hickie

10 O'Gara [TRY, 2 conversions]

9 Stringer

8 Leamy

7 Wallace

6 Easterby

5 O'Connell

4 O'Callaghan

3 Hayes

2 Best [TRY]

1 Horan

Two first-half tries helped Ireland to a 12-9 interval lead. Wales had to rely upon three penalties from Stephen Jones.

IRELAND 17 FRANCE 20; 11th February; at Croke Park

15 Dempsey

14 Murphy

13 D'Arcy

12 Horgan

11 Hickie

10 O'Gara [TRY, 4 penalties]

9 Boss

8 Leamy

7 Wallace

6 Easterby

5 O'Connell (c)

4 O'Callaghan

3 Hayes

2 Best

1 Horan

A late converted try from Vincent Clerc proved to be the party-pooper in this inaugural international at this venue. 

IRELAND 43 ENGLAND 13; 24th February; at Croke Park

15 Dempsey [TRY]

14 Horgan [TRY]

13 O'Driscoll (c)

12 D'Arcy

11 Hickie

10 O'Gara [5 penalties, 3 conversions]

9 Stringer

8 Leamy

7 Wallace [TRY]

6 Easterby

5 O'Connell

4 O'Callaghan

3 Hayes

2 Best

1 Horan

The Ulster duo of Isaac Boss and Paddy Wallace added to this rout with a late try by the former, converted by the latter.

SCOTLAND 18 IRELAND 19; 10th March; at Murrayfield

15 Dempsey

14 Horgan

13 O'Driscoll (c)

12 D'Arcy

11 Hickie

10 O'Gara [TRY, 4 penalties, conversion]

9 Stringer

8 Leamy

7 Wallace

6 Easterby

5 O'Connell

4 O'Callaghan

3 Hayes

2 Best. R 

1 Best.S

Chris Paterson kicked 18 points, but Ronan O'Gara amassed 19 of his own and then ended the match concussed!

ITALY 24 IRELAND 51; 17th March; at the Stadio Flaminio

15 Dempsey [2 TRIES]

14 Horgan [TRY]

13 O'Driscoll.B (c)

12 D'Arcy [TRY]

11 Hickie [2 TRIES]

10 O'Gara [TRY, penalty, 4 conversions]

9 Stringer

8 Leamy

7 Wallace

6 Easterby [TRY]

5 O'Driscoll.M

4 O'Callaghan

3 Hayes

2 Best

1 Horan

A late Italian try coupled with an emphatic win by France against Scotland narrowly denied Ireland the championship.