We had the thankless task of re-watching all 31 of Ireland’s tries this year and whittling out a top 10
Ireland played 10 games in 2014 and won nine as they claimed a Six Nations title, waved goodbye to Brian O’Driscoll, won a series in Argentina and swept the Guinness Series. The one constant in all ten games – apart from Joe Schmidt shirking the credit in RTE interviews – was Mike Ross, who was the tight-head totem.
31 tries scored by 17 different men over the course of 10 Test matches. Here are SportsJOE’s stand-out efforts.
1. Chris Henry vs. Wales at Aviva Stadium
A sign of glorious rolling mauls to come.
2. Rob Kearney vs. England at Twickenham
Superbly worked set-play that sees Kearney attack from one angle and change direction to leave Mike Brown with no chance.
3. Andrew Trimble vs. Italy at Aviva Stadium
The O’Driscoll basketball-style chest pass and the vital timing of the score means Trimble’s try makes the list.
4. Johnny Sexton vs. Italy at Aviva Stadium
If Kearney’s score against Italy is the pick of the backline tries, this surely qualifies as the classiest of assists. Mr O’Driscoll heavily involved.
5. Johnny Sexton vs. France at Stade de France
Joe Schmidt’s ‘Killer Drill’ brought to life as Ireland go relentlessly through the phases inside the French 22 and Henry sets up Sexton with a sublime flick pass.
6. Andrew Trimble vs. France at Stade de France
Ireland had spotted the French front five were slow to get into a defensive line after scrums. To that tactical end, they shunt their attacking scrum in one direction and set an attacking play in motion. Support runners are key here and Trimble finishes off after fine work from O’Driscoll and Murray.
7. Johnny Sexton vs Argentina at Estadio Centenario, Resistencia
Jordi Murphy kicks off this score with an immense carry (twice) before Sexton and Luke Marshall link up with an excellent wraparound.
http://youtu.be/qJsSm6-FUBU?t=49s
8. Tommy Bowe vs. South Africa at Aviva Stadium
A great Johnny Sexton break catches the Springboks out. The ball is recycled through two quick phases before Sexton dinks over for Bowe to score ahead of the exposed Bryan Habana.
9. Stuart Olding vs. Georgia at Aviva Stadium
The Georgians were out on their feet at this stage of the match but Ireland’s first-half effort made it so. After the break they used their youthful bench and set-plays to tear the ragged visitors asunder.
10. Simon Zebo vs. Australia at Aviva Stadium
The beauty of this score comes as Peter O’Mahony and Devin Toner hold up the Australian surge with choke tackles, Rory Best poaches to turnover possession, Sexton spots as acre behind the gold line and judges a stunning chip for Zebo to run onto and score.
