Confident Henson tackles and kicks his way to Welsh glory

CLASSIC MOMENTS:There have been many iconic moments down through the year. Here are just a few fo Gavin Cummisky'sfavourites

Wales v England,

Millennium Stadium, 2005

“Start celebrating,” said Gavin Henson (23) to captain Gareth Thomas when strolling over to take a penalty from the right touchline in the 76th minute. Wales were trailing 9-8.

Henson was magnificent throughout this Six Nations campaign, but the iconic moment came when Andy Robinson’s 18-year-old selection at centre, Matthew Tait, came down his channel. Having already nailed Tait in the first half, Henson picked him up and carried him back into English territory.

For the decisive penalty, veteran outhalf Stephen Jones stood over the ball, looked at the posts only to turn and simply say, “Gav”. The penalty duly split the uprights.

After a remarkable comeback against France, they stuffed Ireland in the final match at an electric Millennium Stadium to complete the Grand Slam.

Ireland v France, Paris, 2000

This was Brian O’Driscoll’s introduction as a world-class centre, claiming three tries courtesy of Rob Henderson’s vision and a

brave forward’s performance that included 10 minutes without the totemic Paddy Johns due to a sin-binning moments after he came on. There was also O’Driscoll’s mysterious hand signal celebration. It required a fine penalty from David Humphreys to secure a first victory on French soil in 28 years; a feat not since repeated on the five occasions Ireland have played at the Stade de France.

IRELAND:G Dempsey; K Maggs, B O'Driscoll, R Henderson, D Hickie; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, K Wood (capt), J Hayes; M Galwey, M O'Kelly, S Easterby, K Dawson, A Foley. Replacements:D Humphreys for Hickie (46-54 mins), O'Gara (61 mins); P Johns for Galwey (54 mins); A Ward for Dawson (54 mins).

Wales v England,

Wembley, 1999

With the Millennium Stadium under construction, Wales spent a season at Wembley.

Clive Woodward’s England were intent on claiming the Grand Slam.

They hadn’t reckoned on Scotty Gibbs spoiling the party.

With a few minutes remaining and trailing by six points, Wales called a three-man lineout just outside the English 22.

Chris Wyatt took a clean ball off the top, fed Rob Howley who flung a flat pass into midfield for big Scott Quinnell, where the English pack were lining him up, but the number eight offloaded to a rampaging Gibbs who was missed by Tim Rodber and beat another four tackles, including a delightful hop outside the last man, flipped his index finger to the crowd before diving over.

Colin Charvis (pictured far right) nearly killed him in the subsequent celebratory bear-hug.

The conversion by Neil Jenkins made it 32-31 and Wales held on for a famous win.

England v Ireland,

Twickenham, 1994

After years of malnourishment the Irish backline finally came up with a move that resulted in a try for their best player from this forgettable era, Simon Geoghegan.

Michael Bradley passed to Eric Elwood – Maurice Field and Conor O’Shea ran decoys – and the outhalf flipped it on to Phillip Danaher who fed Richard Wallace coming off the blindside wing. Geoghegan, shown the outside by Tony Underwood, carried English fullback John Callard over the line.

Elwood added the touchline conversion and Ireland held on, 13-12, to complete memorable back-to-back victories over the all powerful English.

IRELAND:C O'Shea; R Wallace, M Field, P Danaher, S Geoghegan; E Elwood, M Bradley; N Popplewell, T Kingston, P Clohessy; M Galway, N Francis; B Robinson, D McBride, P Johns. Replacements:K O'Connell for P Johns.

France v England,

Twickenham, 1991

A wayward Simon Hodgkinson penalty was gathered by French scrumhalf Pierre Berbizier who calmly tossed the ball to an already flatout Serge Blanco.

The great fullback drew the tackle of Jeremy Guscott on his five-yard line before feeding Jean Baptiste Lafond.

The winger immediately offloaded to Philippe Sella but the centre stalled just outside the 22 before a clever reverse pass sent Didier Camberabero racing up the right touchline with five disgusted Englishmen closing in.

The outhalf chipped and gathered, immediately kicking again into the middle of the English 22 before Will Carling could bury him into touch. Out of nowhere, the other winger Philippe Saint-André appeared, stalling momentarily to take the ball and avoid a desperate flailing tackle from Guscott, to slide under the posts.

It was one of three French tries but England still won the match, 21-19, and with it the Grand Slam.

Scotland v England,

Murrayfield, 1990

For the first time it was a winner takes all, final day, Grand Slam decider. After Scottish captain David Sole famously walked his men onto the field, there followed the most rousing Flower of Scotland Murrayfield has ever heard and all this a full five years before Braveheart hit the big screen.

It began with the English midfield partnership of Will Carling and the classy Jeremy Guscott combining for an excellent try.

Then John Jeffrey, Gary Armstrong and Gavin Hastings all contributed as a young Tony Stanger won a foot race for Scotland’s only try, while the boot of Craig Chalmers and a series of crazed tackling sealed, 13-7, Scotland’s greatest ever victory.