Origin: If the earliest rules of rugby still applied last Saturday, the tries by Jamie Heaslip, Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy would only have earned for Ireland was a “try at goal” for, presumably, Ronan O’Gara.
So, unimaginable as it might be now, tries were worth nothing when The Laws of Football as Played at Rugby School were drawn up in 1845. The only reward for crossing the line was the resulting opportunity to kick a goal – and kicking goals (either drop goals or what are now termed conversions) was the sole way of scoring points.
When the laws were changed in 1886 the try became worth one point, and, gradually, had its value increased: it went up to three points in 1893, four in 1971 and, finally, five in 1992.
The greatest try? Brian O’Driscoll’s last Saturday? Possibly, although 36 years later, Gareth Edwards’ try for the Barbarians against New Zealand in Cardiff in 1973 still tops the polls.
As commentator Cliff Morgan described it: “Kirkpatrick to Williams. This is great stuff! Phil Bennett covering, chased by Alistair Scown. Brilliant! Oh, that’s brilliant! John Williams, Brian Williams, Pullin, John Dawes. Great dummy! David, Tom David. The half-way line. Brilliant by Quinnell! This is Gareth Edwards! A dramatic start! What a score! Oh that fellow Edwards!”
