IRELAND AND FRANCE have been responsible for producing some of the stand-out moments in Six Nations history.
Ahead of their meeting in Dublin this Sunday, The42′s ‘Hear The Roar’ series with William Hill — our Six Nations coverage sponsor — looks back at the fixture through the eyes of several fans who were in the stadium.
Monsieur Croke Park – Cian Nolan
My parents and I were at the Stade de France in 2012. I’d just started seeing someone and was having great fun teasing her about how I was going to the game and she wasn’t. We were in a bitterly cold stadium when I received a text from my girlfriend telling me that the game had been called off due to the frozen pitch.
I told her that we’d heard nothing in the ground at that stage. This was 10 minutes before they made some poor woman announce to 80,000 extremely pissed off people that the game was indeed off.
As I was leaving the stadium (shouting “pourquoi?” at any camera filming us), three Toulouse supporters tapped me on the shoulder and loudly proclaimed: “Monsieur Croke Park!”. I’m a tour guide in the GAA Museum and they recognised me from going six months earlier (even though I wasn’t in a leprechaun hat and tricolour cape whilst conducting the tour).
My girlfriend was less smug when I texted her to say that our new friends had taken my folks and I to a fantastic brasserie and plied us with vin rouge to say thanks for the tour. We had left the ground cold and hungry. Hours later, we got to our hotel feeling tipsy and extremely grateful. If the game had gone ahead, they may never have spotted me leaving. Thank God for the lack of undersoil heating at the Stade de France!
Special Family Trip – Luke Feeney
I remember my first Six Nations game I went abroad to watch was Ireland v France in 2018. Me and my family travelled over with my granny as it was her 80th birthday that weekend. She was a very passionate supporter of Ireland in all sports. It was a very special few days and on the Saturday we left our hotel in the morning to visit my granny’s favourite place in Paris — The Louvre.
After that it was time to go to the game. The atmosphere at kick-off was electric. We all were lost for words after Teddy Thomas scored France’s try but we would soon be absolutely buzzing. Ireland’s plan was clear. After 41 phases, they had got themselves into a position where Johnny Sexton could be the hero. And that’s what he was to us and our granny.
What a drop goal, I still remember it like it was yesterday. I don’t think I will ever be at a game like that again in terms of the people who were there with me and such a dramatic ending.
Unfortunately, just this month my granny died suddenly. Although I am heartbroken because of this, we shared many great memories such as this one. I will remember them forever and be grateful that we had the time together.
She Said Yes – Michael Murphy
In 2008, as a surprise for my then girlfriend’s (now wife) 30th birthday, I planned a trip to Paris, where I proposed to her under the Eiffel Tower. Thankfully she said yes!
As part of the trip we went to see Ireland against France in the Six Nations. France were coasting at half time in the game thanks to a hat-trick of tries from Vincent Clerc. Ireland rallied in the second half but were unlucky to lose by five in the end.
Long Time Coming – Rosie Harding
This was a very special day for me and my hubby Stephen. After 20 years trying to get tickets for a home Five/Six Nations match, we managed to pick up two for the lower stand near the halfway line in 2015.
Ireland won 18-11 on the day with Johnny Sexton scoring five penalties. I remember how nail-biting the last 10 minutes were with Ireland’s defence standing strong.
As an added bonus, our Scottish friend who lives in England spotted us on TV after one of Sexton’s scores.
The Late Dash – Paddy Kitt
I was on Erasmus with two of my friends in Marseille in 2014. With little money, we hopped on a train to Paris for the big game, where a win meant being crowned Six Nations champions. Through hiding in the train toilets at certain stops we got away with cheap tickets and arrived in Paris a day before the match.
Next we had to find tickets for the game and luckily we met some Irish lads who were able to help. To celebrate our luck, we went out on the town that night — leaving us a little ropey the following day.
We said we would leave our hostel good and early to soak up the atmosphere at the stadium and, to add to our luck, the subway/tram system in Paris was free that weekend. However, we couldn’t figure out the map and through our confusion two of us hopped on the subway going one way and lost our other friend.
We were finally reacquainted and I remember one of my friends saying, “don’t worry lads we’ve loads of time before it starts”. Excited approaching the stadium, we notice it’s quite quiet for match day.
We check the tickets and realise the game was starting an hour before we thought it was. We never ran as fast but we got there two minutes after kick-off and soaked up one of the finest days Ireland have enjoyed in Paris.
A Well-Earned Break – Nikki Saarsteiner
It was 2008 and I was studying in Paris. It was amazing and I loved it but I was broke and my boyfriend at the time was still back in Ireland. College was hard and I was bartending/waitressing every hour I had spare.
The Six Nations rolled around and my housemate Chris said he was going to head down to the Stade de France to see if he could get a last-minute ticket and asked if I wanted to go. I was actually going to be there anyway but not as a spectator, I had to parade around giving out flyers for the bar I worked at. Classy stuff.
We surfaced at the Metro stop and the place was jammed with people. I began flirting with strangers and giving them directions back to the bar, while Chris flirted with other strangers in his bid to get us tickets.
Lo and behold, Chris finds tickets five minutes later — only €50 each. I ditch the remainder of my flyers with one very confused Frenchman and we go through.
The seats are fantastic and I ring my boyfriend to mercilessly gloat about being there while he sits at home alone.
What a game. I remember at the time, not knowing a whole load about rugby, that the French XV were no joke and our odds of winning were not great. In the end, we came agonisingly close.
Do you have an unforgettable story about attending an Ireland Six Nations game? We want to hear from you. Simply email competitions@the42.ie with your full name and where you’re from, and tell us all about it (the year, the city, who the opponents were, what made it so memorable etc) in 150-200 words.
Those picked to feature in the series will win themselves a Six Nations matchday hamper that is sure to improve your experience of watching the action from your home.
William Hill are sponsoring The42′s Six Nations coverage this year. New online customers get €30 in free bets when they bet €10 with William Hill. Just use the promo code H30. For all the latest prices, visit williamhill.com. 18+, always gamble responsibly. For more information, see gamblingtherapy.org.
