Cardiff's Kindest Cuts

March 16th, 1985

Wales - 9, Ireland - 21

Ireland's last Triple Crown success, 1985 was the beginning of an unprecedented run of success over at Cardiff Arms Park. Keith Crossan and Trevor Ringland scored the tries with Michael Kiernan providing the rest of the points with two conversions and three penalties.

April 4th, 1987.

Wales - 11, Ireland - 15

Paul Dean made a habit of scoring tries in Cardiff and did not disappoint on this occasion. He crossed the Welsh line, as did Brendan Mullin, with Michael Kiernan adding two conversions and a penalty goal. The home side complained bitterly that Dean's try involved a blatant knock-on.

February 4th, 1989.

Wales - 13, Ireland - 19

Noel Mannion's famous try. The Irish number eight raced half the length of the pitch after charging down a kick before collapsing over the line a split second ahead of his pursuers. Paul Dean grabbed the other try, while Michael Kiernan kicked three penalties and a conversion.

February 18th, 1991

Wales - 21, Ireland - 21

THE YEAR of Brian Smith, the former Australian international who arrived to play for Ireland on the strength of an Irish grandparent. Helped Ireland play a wonderful brand of attacking rugby and score a record number of tries in the championship. Yet Ireland lost the other three games. Clarke, Mullin, Geoghegan and Staples were the try scorers with Smith adding a conversion and drop goal.

March 6th, 1993

Wales - 14, Ireland - 19

Ireland ended a losing streak of 11 consecutive Test defeats. Brian Robinson grabbed the all-important try, with Eric Elwood kicking three penalties and a conversion and Ciaran Clarke dropping a goal.

March 18th, 1995.

Wales - 12, Ireland - 16

Eric Elwood was stretchered from the pitch following a collision and former Cork Constitution and Bristol out-half Paul Burke provided a heroic tour de force. Brendan Mullin grabbed a try, but Burke provided the rest of the points with two penalties, a conversion and a drop goal.

February 1st, 1997.

Wales - 25, Ireland - 26

Under Brian Ashton, Ireland pursued an expansive approach, scoring three tries through Jonathan Bell, Eric Miller and Denis Hickie. Despite being out-played at lineout, scrums and territorially Ireland forged a narrow victory with Eric Elwood kicking three penalties and a conversion.