Analysis:On St Patrick's Day 2007 Lionel Beauxis of France brought the final score in Paris, against Scotland, to 46-19 and in doing so kept a championship-starved Irish out in the cold. Soon we were all ruing Denis Leamy's quick penalty earlier that afternoon that ultimately allowed the Italian fullback Roland de Marigny bring the scores in Rome back to 24-51. Ireland had a magic day but missed out on the title by four points.
Of course some would argue Vincent Clerc had done the real damage in Croke Park the previous month. But there was also the damage done in Edinburgh, long before Leamy tapped the ball in Rome, when, but for the rotund Scottish loosehead prop Allan Jacobsen falling on a ruck inside Scotland's half, Ireland might have lost the match.
It was that close and it never should have required two second-half penalties from Ronan O'Gara to beat Scotland by a point.
Scotland came last in the table after conceding an average 30 points per game. Ireland could muster only 19 points against Scotland, whereas Italy managed 37 and France 46. My point in short: Scotland cost us last year's championship and are due a whipping from Ireland today, which would be timely for several reasons.
Ireland struggled against Italy, "performed" against France and now face Scotland, who are "Whiteless", rudderless and awful in nearly every department.
They have chopped and changed selection, not for rotation but in the vain hope it all might click. They simply don't know where they are going.
As for Ireland, though process is all important and performance crucial, rhetoric such as "a win is a must" should be banned. Today is a day for retribution; this Irish team needs to loosen the shackles, impose themselves and perform with ruthlessness. As the great TWR Meates might say, it's a day for "the ruthless pursuit of excellence".
So why didn't Ireland put 30 points on Scotland in 2007 and secure the title? Or more to the point, how can Ireland put over 30 points on Scotland today?
Firstly the most important man to keep quiet today is the French referee Christophe Berdos. Last year Dave Pearson blew his whistle eight times against the Irish and six times Chris Paterson responded by kicking the ball over the bar.
To keep Berdos out of the equation Ireland must play at a scintillating pace and keep the ball off the deck, thus avoiding the famed Scottish ruck, for that is where Paterson will eke out his side's chances.
In keeping the ball off the ground Ireland must utilise the diamond formation, whereby the ball receiver running from deep and taking the ball flat has three players behind him. They cut angles into the tiniest of gaps, exploiting the space created.
Ireland's management of opposition sinbinnings is a cause for concern. Last year, with the game in the balance and Nathan Hynes off the pitch, Ireland were unable to assert themselves. This is a worry. It is critical that Ireland impose themselves physically, all the more so when playing against 14 men.
The Irish defensive line speed must be constant, repeatedly pushing the fragile Scots backward. Errors have killed Scotland in their opening two matches. Ireland need to squeeze more errors out of them.
Which brings me to another form selection in the team today. I'd love to see Mick O'Driscoll make the contact zone his priority. His lineout and workrate are excellent but what the team need most is both secondrows knocking Scots on their backsides. Attack when you have the ball and attack when they have the ball. Can you recall the damage the Italian Mauro Bergamasco did on Brian O'Driscoll?
As for Ireland's attack or, more specifically, attack from broken play - there should be an electric dog collar placed on all the Irish players taking passes from O'Gara that zaps them every time they stand still or flat. O'Gara needs to fly onto Eoin Reddan's flat pass, which will generate oomph for his outside backs. Too often in Edinburgh Peter Stringer was forced to pass back into the pocket or to loose forwards.
Speaking of O'Gara, it is interesting to note that Eddie O'Sullivan and O'Driscoll are coach and captain by appointment from on high but it is the "subordinates" that award permission to lead. It has become obvious O'Gara is the "leader" of the group, and more power to him. He can pull all the strings in what should be a total performance from Ireland today.
Last year with the clock dead in Croke Park, France had to score a try to beat Ireland and did. On March 17th France needed to beat Scotland by 24 points to end the title hopes of Ireland and did. A try from Elvis Vermeulen at the death for Les Bleus secured the required victory margin . . . "Ruthless pursuit of excellence?"
