Memory Lane: Peter Stringer may not remember the right hook Alessandro Troncon landed on his chin in the closing stages of Ireland's 2001 visit to Rome. Everyone else does, though. Troncon never took to Stringer's persistent style and with two minutes left on the clock - and Ireland coasting home - he reacted to some jersey tugging by knocking the Munster scrumhalf out cold.Compiled by Gavin Cummiskey
Troncon headed for the showers, red carded by referee Jonathan Kaplan, while a groggy Stringer followed suit, replaced by Brian O'Meara, much to the amusement of Anthony Foley and Mick Galwey.
"Yeah, it was a good hard slap," remembers Galwey. "Myself and Anthony Foley were on the bench by that stage and I think we were laughing at poor old Peter, whose pride was a bit dented."
With Diego Dominguez out injured the Italians were on a hiding to nothing, but spoiled at every opportunity. Andrea Muraro and Christian Stoica took time out in the sin bin, along with Ireland's own enforcer, Peter Clohessy.
"We were coming off a tough European Cup campaign, with Munster having just played Biarritz in Thomond Park the week before. It was a rough, hard game, but Hendo grabbed three tries, which helped considering Brian O'Driscoll was out injured."
Before the match, Henderson was way down the centre pecking order for the Lions, but a combination of injury and an impressive Six Nations saw him make the plane and eventually the Test XV.
Overall, it was a good day, but defensive frailties were later exploited in Ireland's re-scheduled - due to foot-and-mouth disease - visit to former hoodoo ground Murrayfield in September before recovering to beat Wales and England. A year when the slam slipped through their fingers.
Stringer's relationship with the Italians never improved: Salvatore Perugini head-butted Ireland's most capped number nine at Lansdowne Road the following season. The prop was only yellow carded by referee Rob Dickson, but later received a 20-week suspension.
Stadio Flaminio, February 3rd, 2001 Ireland 41, Italy 22 - How they lined out
ITALY: C Stoica; C Pilat, L Martin, G Raineri, D Dallan; R Pez, A Troncon; A Lo Cicero, A Moscardi (capt), A Muraro; W Visser, C Checchinato; C Caione, D Dal Maso, M Bergamasco.
IRELAND: G Dempsey; S Horgan, M Mullins, R Henderson, T Howe; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, K Woods (capt), J Hayes; M Galwey, M O'Kelly; A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa).
Television coverage
Which to view is up to individual taste, but here is a breakdown of the comprehensive Six Nations coverage by RTÉ and the BBC.
BBC Two get the ball rolling tomorrow night with their preview. Expect an entertaining Eddie Butler feature on who is doing what and a host of former players backing Ireland to finally make the big breakthrough. England will love every minute of it.
Come Saturday, the real business begins with Steve Rider, John Inverdale and Jill Douglas anchoring the studio with regular pundits Keith Wood, Jeremy Guscott, and Jonathan Davis. Also, the long shadows of Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson will be present to remind English fans what they are missing.
This will be countered by the evergreen RTÉ lynchpin Tom McGurk, who of course will be joined by the equally long-standing duet of Hook and Popey. Conor O'Shea and Ciarán Fitzgerald provide the knowledge of playing in the green shirt.
In the post-Bill McLaren years, Butler, Jim Neilly, Andrew Cotter and Nick Mullins fly the BBC commentary flag. In what should be the clincher for RTÉ, Will Carling and Brian Moore join them at the Beeb, although a saving grace is the presence of Sean Fitzpatrick and Phillip Matthews.
Ryle Nugent takes over the main commentary reigns from Jim Sherwin with, as ever, Tony Ward acting as wingman in the nest. George Hamilton and Ralph Keyes will also be on duty. Both RTÉ 2 and BBC are showing all 15 games live.
This weekend
Thursday: Six Nations preview, BBC 2, 11.20
Saturday: France v Scotland followed by Wales v England. BBC 1, from 1.00, RTÉ from 1.30
Sunday: Italy v Ireland, BBC 2 and RTÉ from 2.00.
Head to Head
Andrea Lo Cicero v John Hayes
Ever wondered what happens when a red-blooded Sicilian and Cappamore farmer are put in direct opposition? Well, tune in on Sunday afternoon to find out.
The front and back rows are the areas where Italy could conceivably match Ireland, with Andrea Lo Cicero in particular aiming to undo John Hayes in the scrum.
The only problem here is the well-weathered Irish front row are only too aware of the criticism heaped on them in the past. It would suit them fine, as in the previous encounter, if the Italians opt for a scrum right from the kick-off.
Gone are the days when Hayes, a converted second row, can be bossed around in the scrum, as happened in his first tentative steps on the international stage.
"We're well past that now," agreed Mick Galway, his former team-mate at all levels. "Okay, it took him a while, but John's credentials are there for all to see as he has performed against the best - including recently against South Africa and Argentina."
The Bookies Corner
If you have been listening to all the pundits recently - especially across the water - Ireland are red-hot favourites to retain the Triple Crown and bridge the 57-year gap to their solitary Grand Slam.
Yet, those who make the serious wedge from such predictions (the bookies) have them third favourites, just like the last four seasons. They may be injury ravaged, but the Red Rose is expected to have enough quality to prevail.
Paddy Power, Boylesports and Ladbrokes have either England or France as favourites for the championship with Ireland sitting pretty at 3 to 1, or 9 to 4 in the case of Paddy Power.
Eddie O'Sullivan's lot are being hyped up to ridiculous levels, as is confirmed by of all people Jeremy Guscott backing them in last weekend's Sunday Times, but the bookies still hold Ireland back at just 5 to 1 for the Grand Slam. Paddy Power edging towards England (9 to 2) with France 5 to 1.
Focusing on Sunday's opener in Rome, Ireland are a minus 17-point handicap bet at 10 to 11. They are scratch for their home games against England and France, minus 12-points for the trip to Edinburgh and minus three for the Cardiff match, which could (touch Keith) be the Grand Slam decider.
Six Nations odds
Championship outright: England 15-8 (Paddy Power), 13-8 (Boylesports), 6-4 (Ladbrokes); France 13-8 (PP), 13-8 (B), 7-4 (L); Ireland 9-4, 3-1 (B and L); Wales 10-1 (PP and Boyle), 8-1 (L); Scotland 200-1 (PP and L), 100-1 (B); Italy 1,000-1 (PP and Boyle), 500-1 (L).
Grand Slam and Triple Crown: (Paddy Power) England 9-2 and 2-1, France 5-1, Ireland 5-1 and 2-1, Wales 40-1 and 7-1, Scotland 1,000-1 and 125-1, Italy 1000-1. No winner: 4-6 and 15-8.
