Ireland in the Five Nations of 1990

By Gary Watton
April 15 2013

The start of a new decade did not result in a new transformation in the playing fortunes of the men in green. In fact, the only blessing for the time being was that Wales were even worse. Across the Irish Sea, the English and Scots were locked in a titanic tussle for the grand slam, which the Scottish famously won at Murrayfield against the much-fancied English, courtesy of that Tony Stanger try.

ENGLAND 23 IRELAND 0; 20th January; at Twickenham

15 Murphy

14 Kiernan

13 Mullin

12 Irwin

11 Crossan

10 Russell

9 Aherne

8 Mannion

7 O'Hara

6 Matthews

5 Anderson (c)

4 Francis

3 Halpin

2 Smith

1 Fitzgerald

Leading only 7-0 at the halfway stage, a rampant England added three more tries without reply in the second half.

IRELAND 10 SCOTLAND 13; 3rd February; at Lansdowne Road

15 Murphy

14 Kiernan [2 penalties]

13 Mullin

12 Irwin

11 Crossan

10 Smith

9 Aherne

8 Mannion

7 O'Hara

6 Matthews

5 Lenihan

4 Anderson (c)

3 Fitzgerald.D

2 McDonald [TRY]

1 Fitzgerald.J

Scotland's Derek White recorded two second-half tries, after his team had been 7-0 in arrears after the first 40 minutes.

FRANCE 31 IRELAND 12; 3rd March; at Parc des Princes

15 Murphy

14 Hooks

13 Kiernan [4 penalties]

12 Danaher

11 Crossan

10 Smith

9 Aherne

8 Mannion

7 O'Hara

6 McBride

5 Lenihan (c)

4 Francis

3 Fitzgerald.D

2 Kingston

1 Fitzgerald.J

Franck Mesnel recorded a brace of tries in a match which was 'delicately' balanced at 12-6 at the interval.

IRELAND 14 WALES 8; 24th March; at Lansdowne Road

15 Murphy

14 Hooks

13 Kiernan [conversion]

12 Mullin

11 Crossan

10 Smith [TRY]

9 Bradley

8 Mannion

7 O'Hara

6 McBride [TRY]

5 Lenihan (c)

4 Francis

3 Fitzgerald.D

2 Kingston [TRY]

1 Fitzgerald.J

Two first-half tries helped Ireland to win this wooden spoon 'play-off'. Wales fought back after having been 10-0 behind.