Memories from Lansdowne Road
Brian O'Driscoll
Leinster, Ireland and Lions captain
"I suppose my favourite memory would also be an embarrassing one. It was the first time I led Ireland as captain when we beat the Wallabies in monsoon conditions. We made idiots of ourselves doing a lap of honour and I think I might have been wearing a silly hat to boot. Contrast that with our recent victory. We were pleased with a job well done and just got off the pitch.
"There were also some less edifying days there, missing just the four drop-goal attempts in a Schools' Cup semi-final and losing out on a Grand Slam opportunity against France.
"We're used to the dingy conditions whereas other elite teams arriving would be used to more salubrious surroundings. It's a fabulous playing arena and maybe you have to be Irish to appreciate just how special it is.
"The noise, the fact that the crowd are on top of you, generates an atmosphere all of its own. I remember the Leinster v Munster game, the atmosphere was phenomenal. Someone asked me what I would take away from the ground given a choice. It would probably be the hook on which my jersey hung for all those caps or maybe a little bit of the bench where I have sat so many times. It's a special place."
Mike Gibson
Former Ireland and Lions centre
"A lasting memory would be the atmosphere generated before and during matches. The design of the ground leaves the crowd so close to the action and the players are very aware of excitement, intensity, passion and reaction of the supporters to their play. It was a massive encouragement to receive that support.
"There were many happy memories including drawing with the All Blacks, beating Australia and South Africa and depriving Wales of a couple of Triple Crowns. The game in 1970, framed by Ken Goodall's wonderful try, in which we beat Wales 14-0 was special and unheard of at that time against a dominant Welsh side.
"In isolating one match it would be the 3-3 draw against France in 1965. It was Ray McLoughlin's first game as captain and he instilled discipline to complement traditional Irish passion. I had played in a couple of internationals the year on those occasions our play didn't demand a significant crowd input.
"That day I experienced a noise level that I had never encountered before. It was very emotional and a memory I will cherish."
Alain Rolland
Former Ireland scrumhalf and current international referee
"Losing the 1985 Schools Cup final to DLS Churchtown and than making my senior debut against Argentina in November, 1990. That day was very special as I was representing my country.
"It's something I'll never forget, from the freezing cold day to walking out on the pitch, the national anthem and the game itself. I managed to put a little chip through for Kenny Hook to score a try. From a refereeing perspective I have been fortunate enough to officiate at many top domestic games and was fourth official for a test match between Ireland and Argentina: I think it was Derek Bevan's 40th match.
"While the players' changing rooms are spacious the referee's resembles a closet and in recent years one that has to accommodate eight to 10 people at any one stage. It's funny, I always use the same two hooks and sit in the same place at Lansdowne Road and also when I travel to other test arenas. I'll be there with my son to watch the last game on New Year's Eve."
Bill McLaren
Legendary BBC broadcaster
"It's sad that the history of that place will be disappearing. It is old, yes, and it's old-fashioned, but it's also a place full of character. The old-fashioned aspect I recall in the way they used to perch a television monitor for me just outside the window of my commentating box, on top of the stand below, held on with bits of string.
"You wouldn't believe it if you saw it. I needed to have a monitor because it gave you a far better view of what was happening, so they said they'd hook one up for me - and hook it up they did! But the Irish sort of skidded along - they're wonderful.
"What always got to me more than anything that ever happened on the field of play was the unique atmosphere of the place. There was a kind of hilarity about Lansdowne Road. Nobody seemed to take anything too seriously. The Irish had a philosophical attitude to their rugby and didn't have a wake if they lost."
Willie Duggan
Former Blackrock College, Leinster, Ireland and Lions number eight
"I always felt that if you were worrying about what stadium you were playing in you couldn't possibly be concentrating on the match. Having said that, it was always great to play at home. I suppose the day that sticks out in my mind was the (Five Nations) game against Scotland in 1982 when we were going for the Triple Crown.
"The atmosphere that day was unreal. The crowd were so loud it was nearly annoying because we spent the whole match shouting at one another to try and communicate the lineout calls. I remember the last act in the game took place just in front of the entrance to the dressingrooms on the halfway line. It was a scrum and when the referee blew the whistle I was gone down the tunnel.
"The crowd just descended in their hordes and you'd arguably be sorer as a result of all the back slapping than you would be after playing the match. I remember it took Ollie Campbell about 15 minutes to make it back into the dressingroom after the match. As a stadium (in terms of facilities) it was certainly no worse than most places we played in those days."
Jim Telfer
Former Scottish international, Scotland and Lions Coach
"Lansdowne Road played quite a part in my career as it was the venue for my last international as a Scotland player in 1970, though I didn't know it at the time, and then, in 1984 my greatest moment in coaching.
"I can't remember much about my last international, but there was no better place to be in 1984. That was the year we won the Triple Crown and when the final whistle blew and echoed around that blustery stadium it was wonderful. I wasn't to know that a fortnight later we would win the Grand Slam.
"Our last Triple Crown had been 46 years before, and there was a great buzz as we headed into Lansdowne Road.
"The celebrations were great and the BBC had us all in their studio, singing O Flower of Scotland live on television, along with Bill McLaren and Dougie Donnelly. I remember thinking that Bill was staying the night, which he hardly ever did, and so it must have been a big occasion. It's bizarre that the old Lansdowne is still there, with the train going through under the main stand in this day and age. It's a strange place, a lot of character, but completely out of date."
