Incentive to equal record of 1948 side

Prior to the start of the Six Nations Championship in February there was a general belief that what had been the Five Nations series, until the advent of Italy this season to make six nations, would rest between England and France. This weekend will see all issues decided. It has been a revealing series as England stand with four wins, Ireland three, Wales and France two each, Italy one and Scotland none.

France had left New Zealand shell-shocked by their semi-final victory in the World Cup and, despite losing to Australia in the World Cup final, had displayed their credentials as a formidable force after a very disappointing Five Nations series last season.

England's failure to make it to the semi-final of the World Cup brought in its wake some recriminations. But there was never any doubt England would be major contenders for the championship with the depth of talent at their disposal.

The popular belief before the start of the series in February was that Italy would be wooden spoonists. Ireland's chances were rated no more than marginally better. After the humiliation at Twickenham and the concession of 50 points, it was Ireland who had the wooden spoon rating, especially as on that same afternoon Italy defeated the reigning Five Nations Champions, Scotland.

Well, how things have changed so dramatically since that opening day in early February. The Ireland team was reconstructed for the match against Scotland and the result was a record score of 44 points. The picture was changing now. There followed the 60 points against Italy and now a mid-table position for Ireland was certain, bearing in mind the other results. England went to Paris and beat France, thus overcoming the team rated most likely to stop their march to a championship.

Then came events the weekend before last when Ireland went to France and won. Now it was three wins from four matches, second place in the table.

So tomorrow Ireland will face Wales and a win will mean four wins and an assurance of second place in the table. Indeed, were Scotland to beat England on Sunday then it would mean Ireland and England would be level on match points, with four wins each, but England would assuredly take the title on points difference as they have a huge advantage in that respect.

Were Ireland playing Wales tomorrow with the Grand Slam at stake there would not be more interest or excited anticipation as this Ireland team has generated. That is the spin-off from the turnaround in Ireland's performances and fortunes and the style with which they have brought it about. It has captivated the country, even those with no more than a passing interest in rugby.

Well, a Grand Slam and Triple Crown are unattainable, but the incentive for the Ireland team is still immense. Already this side has set a host of records. These include the highest points recorded by an Ireland team in the championship, to date 149, compared to the previous best of 71 in 1983. They have scored more tries in the series than any Ireland side in history: two against England, five against Scotland, six against Italy and three against France to make it 16. The previous best was 12, a mark achieved twice, in 1928 and 1953. The highest score recorded against Scotland in the championship. And the 27 points in Paris last Saturday week was also the highest by Ireland against the French.

Ireland will go into the match tomorrow having beaten Wales five times out of the last six meetings. But only one of those wins was achieved in Dublin, in 1996. The others were 1995 (Cardiff), 1995 (Johannesburg World Cup), 1997 (Cardiff) and 1999 (Wembley). If the Irish side win tomorrow, and there will not be any room for ever previously achieved: four championship wins in a season. That record belongs to the men of 1948 the only Ireland team to do the Grand Slam.

Ireland did string together five championship wins in a row once. Twice they have won four, but not in the same season, as achieved previously in 1948. In 1925, Ireland beat Wales in the last match of the championship and then the following season beat France, England and Scotland, before Wales foiled a Grand Slam by winning 11-8 at St Helen's.

There were also four wins in a row in 1928 and 1929. Ireland beat Scotland and Wales in the last two matches of the 1928 championship and the first and second the following season. The best winning sequence Ireland had in the championship was five consecutive matches. In 1968 Ireland won the last two matches against Scotland and Wales and then three the following season against France, England and Scotland, before losing a Grand Slam decider to Wales.

Indeed that loss, in what was a very controversial match, brought a six-match winning sequence for Ireland to an end as Ireland had also beaten Australia in Dublin in October 1968. It also brought to an end a seven-match unbeaten run - the best sequence ever attained by Ireland, who had drawn with England in 1968 before reeling off the six consecutive wins. But often in the past it has been Wales who stood between Ireland and Triple Crowns, Championships and Grand Slams. The damage was usually inflicted on Welsh soil. Lansdowne Road was something of a bogey ground for Wales, Cardiff Arms Park for Ireland.

But all that has changed over the last 15 years. Ireland have not lost to Wales in Cardiff since 1983. However, in the same period Lansdowne Road has been far from infertile ground for Wales. Ireland beat Wales in 1996 at Lansdowne Road, but lost in Dublin to Wales in 1998, 1994, 1992, 1988, 1986 and in 1984.

That is worth bearing in mind and is a ready reminder for anyone who might be feeling in any way complacent. But let it be said for the current Ireland team, they are not weighed down by the baggage of recurring defeats against Scotland dating back to 1989 or against France in Paris going back 28 years. This is a different team that in six weeks has brought about a remarkable transformation in Ireland's rugby fortunes.

Let us not forget either the Ireland A team who tonight will be playing for the Triple Crown at Donnybrook. That should also be a full house.