2009 Six Nations Championship

The 2009 Six Nations Championship, known as the RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons, was the 10th Six Nations Championship, and the 115th international championship, an annual rugby union competition contested by the six major European national teams. The tournament was held between 7 February and 21 March 2009.

2009 Six Nations Championship
Date7 February – 21 March 2009
Countries England
 France
 Ireland
 Italy
 Scotland
 Wales
Tournament statistics
Champions Ireland (11th title)
Grand Slam Ireland (2nd title)
Triple Crown Ireland (10th title)
Calcutta Cup England
Millennium Trophy Ireland
Centenary Quaich Ireland
Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy France
Matches played15
Attendance981,963 (65,464 per match)
Tries scored56 (3.73 per match)
Top point scorer(s) Ronan O'Gara (51)
Top try scorer(s) Brian O'Driscoll (4)
Riki Flutey (4)
Player of the tournament Brian O'Driscoll
← 2008 (Previous) (Next) 2010 →

The championship was contested by England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Ireland won the Grand Slam and Triple Crown, only their second Grand Slam, and first since 1948, and first Triple Crown since 2007. It was Ireland's second Grand Slam in total.[1]

England finished as runners-up, and also won the Calcutta Cup. The tournament featured the first Friday night game in its history, played between France and Wales at the Stade de France.[2]

Summary

The tournament began on 7 February 2009, when England hosted Italy in the earlier of the day's two matches. Ireland played France later that evening, with Scotland versus Wales the following day.

The reigning champions on entering the 2009 tournament were Wales, who won the Grand Slam and Triple Crown in 2008. The winners of both accolades in 2009 were Ireland, with Ronan O'Gara's dropped goal leaving the score in the final match against Wales in Cardiff on 21 March at 17–15.[3] Wales's Stephen Jones then missed a late penalty from just inside the Ireland half to leave Wales in fourth position.[4] Ireland's two tries in that match came when captain Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe scored in quick succession in the 44th and 46th minutes respectively.[4][5] Paul O'Connell received the Triple Crown and Ireland's captain Brian O'Driscoll lifted the trophy. It was Ireland's first Grand Slam in 61 years, their last one being in 1948.[4][6] This was achieved in the first Six Nations Championship since Declan Kidney was appointed as manager of the Ireland team, succeeding Eddie O'Sullivan who resigned after the previous tournament.[7]

Brian O'Driscoll lifting the Six Nations cup

Twelve tries were scored by Ireland throughout the tournament, and five wins left the team on top of the table at the end of the Championship with ten points. They opened with a 30–21 win over France at home stadium Croke Park on 7 February.[8] On 15 February Ireland's second match was a 9–38 beating of Italy at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome.[9] On 28 February, Ireland beat England 14–13 at Croke Park and on 14 March, Ireland beat Scotland 15–22 at Murrayfield Stadium.[10][11] Then followed the Grand Slam against Wales on 21 March 2009. That game was attended by the President of Ireland Mary McAleese, who presented the trophy, and Taoiseach Brian Cowen.[12] Following the game there were tributes from politicians including Brian Cowen, Leader of the Opposition Enda Kenny and Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen.[12] A civic reception for the team took place outside Dublin's Mansion House on 22 March at 16:30,[12] with 18,000 fans attending alongside Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Dublin's Deputy Lord Mayor Emer Costelloe.[13] 2,000 fans had earlier greeted the team upon their arrival at Dublin Airport.[13] Brian O'Driscoll described 21 March as a "sweet, sweet day".[5] The game was watched by 945,000 people in Ireland, the highest rating television programme in the country by that stage of 2009.[14] Former coach Eddie O'Sullivan was said to be "delighted" for the team.[15] Brian O'Driscoll was named player of the tournament, beating Italy's Sergio Parisse and Ireland teammate Paul O'Connell.[16] O'Connell was later named captain of the British and Irish Lions team to tour South Africa and containing fourteen members of the Grand Slam winning Irish team on 21 April 2009, describing it as "a great honour".[17][18]

Italy were the only side to not win a match in the tournament, suffering defeats by twenty points or more against, in addition to Ireland, France (50–8), England (36–11) and Scotland (26–6), while losing 20–15 to Wales. Scotland managed a solitary victory against Italy to finish on 2 points. England, France and Wales all managed to win three of their matches to finish level on six points but England's points difference of +54 granted them second place in the table. Their points tally was boosted by a 36–10 defeat of France and a 26–12 win against Scotland which sealed the Calcutta Cup. Wales' early loss to France and narrow loss to Ireland in the last game of the tournament denied them a second consecutive championship. Although Wales needed to beat Ireland by more than 13 points to win the championship, they could have won the game and the Triple Crown in the last minute of the tournament (as well as denying Ireland the Grand Slam) if Stephen Jones' 50-yard penalty kick had not fallen short.

Participants
During Ireland's 22–15 victory over Scotland on 14 March 2009

The teams involved were:

Nation Home stadium City Head coach Captain
 England Twickenham London Martin Johnson[19] Steve Borthwick
 France Stade de France Saint-Denis Marc Lièvremont Lionel Nallet
 Ireland Croke Park Dublin Declan Kidney[7] Brian O'Driscoll[20]
 Italy Stadio Flaminio Rome Nick Mallett Sergio Parisse
 Scotland Murrayfield Edinburgh Frank Hadden Mike Blair
 Wales Millennium Stadium Cardiff Warren Gatland Ryan Jones[21][22]

Squads
For each nation's squad for the 2009 Six Nations Championship, see 2009 Six Nations Championship squads.

Table
Position Nation Games Points Table
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference Tries
1 Ireland 550012173+481210
2 England 530212470+54166
3 France 5302124101+23146
4 Wales 530210081+1986
5 Scotland 510479102−2342
6 Italy 500549170−12120

Note: The first tiebreaker is point difference from all matches, the second is tries scored. After these two tiebreakers the championship is shared.[23]

Fixtures

The fixtures for the 2009 Six Nations were released on 17 April 2008.[24] The France v Wales game on 27 February was the first Friday night game in the history of the championship, both under the Five and Six Nations format.[25]

Round 1
7 February 2009
15:00 GMT
England  36–11  Italy
Try: Goode 2' c
Ellis (2) 18' m, 54' c
Flutey 28' c
Cueto 78' c
Con: Goode (4/5)
Pen: Goode (1/3) 36'
 Report Try: Mi. Bergamasco 72' m
Pen: McLean (2/3) 34', 39'
Twickenham, London
Attendance: 82,000
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
7 February 2009
17:00 GMT
Ireland  30–21  France
Try: Heaslip 34' c
O'Driscoll 43' c
D'Arcy 66' c
Con: O'Gara (3/3)
Pen: O'Gara (3/5) 3', 17', 78'
 Report Try: Harinordoquy 15' c
Médard 50' m
Con: Beauxis (1/2)
Pen: Beauxis (1/1) 76'
Drop: Beauxis (2/2) 40+1', 53'
Croke Park, Dublin
Attendance: 79,000
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
8 February 2009
15:00 GMT
Scotland  13–26  Wales
Try: M. Evans 69' c
Con: Paterson (1/1)
Pen: Paterson (2/2) 32', 51'
 Report Try: Shanklin 22' m
A. W. Jones 29' m
Halfpenny 41' m
S. Williams 58' m
Pen: S. Jones (2/3) 13', 40+1'
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Attendance: 63,000
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Round 2
14 February 2009
16:00 CET
France  22–13  Scotland
Try: Ouedraogo 46' c
Con: Beauxis (1/1)
Pen: Beauxis (5/7) 23', 38', 53', 60', 73'
 Report Try: T. Evans 69' c
Con: Paterson (1/1)
Pen: Godman (2/3) 35', 49'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 79,600
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
14 February 2009
17:30 GMT
Wales  23–15  England
Try: Halfpenny 44' m
Pen: S. Jones (5/5) 4', 16', 43', 54', 72'
Halfpenny 22' (1/2)
 Report Try: Sackey 24' m
D. Armitage 57' c
Con: Flood (1/1)
Drop: Goode (1/1) 30'
15 February 2009
15:30 CET
Italy  9–38  Ireland
Pen: McLean (3/4) 5', 16', 24'
 Report Try: Bowe 19' c
Fitzgerald (2) 40' c, 76' c
D. Wallace 48' c
O'Driscoll 78' c
Con: O'Gara (4/4)
Kearney (1/1)
Pen: O'Gara (1/1) 50'
Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Chris White (England)

Round 3
27 February 2009
21:00 CET
France  21–16  Wales
Try: Dusautoir 40' c
Heymans 53' m
Con: Parra (1/2)
Pen: Parra (3/5) 6', 35', 70'
 Report Try: Byrne 24' c
Con: S. Jones (1/1)
Pen: S. Jones (2/2) 3', 9'
Hook (1/1) 73'
28 February 2009
15:00 GMT
Scotland  26–6  Italy
Try: Danielli 35' c
Gray 64' c
Con: Godman (1/1)
Paterson (1/1)
Pen: Paterson (3/3) 5', 13', 68'
Godman (1/2) 31'
 Report Pen: McLean (1/1) 55'
Drop: Parisse (1/1) 22'
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Attendance: 65,000
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
28 February 2009
17:30 GMT
Ireland  14–13  England
Try: O'Driscoll 57' m
Pen: O'Gara (2/5) 27', 71'
Drop: O'Driscoll (1/2) 46'
 Report Try: D. Armitage 78' c
Con: Goode (1/1)
Pen: Flood (1/1) 38'
D. Armitage (1/1) 64'
Croke Park, Dublin
Attendance: 82,000
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Ireland won the Millennium Trophy.

Round 4
14 March 2009
16:00 CET
Italy  15–20  Wales
Pen: Marcato (5/5) 5', 31', 34', 57', 70'
 Report Try: S. Williams 25' c
Shanklin 71' c
Con: Hook (2/2)
Pen: Hook (2/3) 59', 63'
14 March 2009
17:00 GMT
Scotland  15–22  Ireland
Pen: Paterson (5/5) 5', 13', 21', 31', 60'
 Report Try: Heaslip 51' c
Con: O'Gara (1/1)
Pen: O'Gara (4/5) 11', 27', 33', 70'
Drop: O'Gara (1/1) 57'

Ireland won their eighth successive Centenary Quaich.

15 March 2009
15:00 GMT
England  34–10  France
Try: Cueto 1' c
Flutey (2) 22' c, 41' m
D. Armitage 37' c
Worsley 39' m
Con: Flood (3/3)
Pen: Flood (1/1) 18'
 Report Try: Szarzewski 56' m
Malzieu 64' m

Round 5
21 March 2009
14:15 CET
Italy  8–50  France
Try: Parisse 57' m
Pen: Marcato (1/2) 23'
 Report Try: Chabal 25' c
Trinh-Duc 29' m
Médard (2) 31' c, 70' m
Heymans 42' c
Domingo 55' m
Malzieu 76' m
Con: Parra (3/4)
Pen: Parra (3/3) 7', 15', 48'
Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Attendance: 27,650
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

France won their third consecutive Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy.

21 March 2009
15:30 GMT
England  26–12  Scotland
Try: Monye 22' m
Flutey 28' c
Tait 77' m
Con: Flood (1/2)
Pen: Flood (2/2) 40', 41'
Drop: Care 72'
 Report Pen: Paterson (3/3) 9', 44', 66'
Godman (1/2) 51'
Twickenham, London
Attendance: 80,688
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

England won the 121st Calcutta Cup.

21 March 2009
17:30 GMT
Wales  15–17  Ireland
Pen: S. Jones (4/5) 33', 39', 51', 56'
Drop: S. Jones (1/1) 76'
 Report Try: O'Driscoll 44' c
Bowe 46' c
Con: O'Gara (2/2)
Drop: O'Gara (1/1) 78'
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 74,625
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Ireland claimed their first championship since 1985 and first Grand Slam since 1948.[4]

Scorers

References
  1. "Ireland beat Wales to take first Grand Slam since 1948". The Irish Times. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  2. "France 21-16 Wales". BBC Sport. 27 February 2009. Archived from the original on 11 March 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  3. "Wales 15-17 Ireland - Matchtracker". RTÉ. 21 March 2009. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  4. "RBS 6 Nations: Wales v. Ireland". BBC. 21 March 2009. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  5. "O'Driscoll basks in Grand Slam glory". The Irish Times. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  6. "RBS 6 Nations: Expert Analysis: George Hook". RTÉ. 21 March 2009. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  7. "Ireland appoint Kidney as coach". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  8. "Ireland make the running" Archived 15 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Six Nations. Accessed 21 March 2009.
  9. "Victory margin flatters erratic Ireland" Archived October 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Six Nations. Accessed 21 March 2009.
  10. "Unbeaten Ireland edge out England" Archived 15 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Six Nations. Accessed 21 March 2009.
  11. "Heaslip and Stringer inspire Ireland". Six Nations. Accessed 21 March 2009. Archived 14 August 2009.
  12. "Taoiseach leads tributes to Irish rugby team". RTÉ. 21 March 2009. Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  13. "Thousands welcome grand slam squad". RTÉ. 22 March 2009. Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  14. "Huge viewership for Grand Slam decider". RTÉ. 23 March 2009. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  15. "O'Sullivan delighted for Ireland players". RTÉ. 23 March 2009. Archived from the original on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  16. "O'Driscoll Six Nations player of tournament". The Irish Times. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  17. "O'Connell to lead 14 Irish Lions". RTÉ. 21 April 2009. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  18. "O'Connell: 'It's a great honour'". RTÉ. 21 April 2009. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  19. Unlike the other head coaches in the 2009 Six Nations, Martin Johnson holds the position of team manager
  20. "Ireland Management Confirm Captain And Season Plan". Irish Rugby Football Union. 27 January 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  21. Martyn Williams captained Wales in their opening match against Scotland after Jones failed a fitness test hours before kickoff.
    PA Sport (8 February 2009). "Wales make winning start". Six Nations Rugby. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  22. Alun Wyn Jones captained Wales in their Round 4 match against Italy, as coach Warren Gatland chose to move Ryan Jones to the bench for that match only.
    Rimmer, Simon (5 March 2009). "Jones named Wales' 127th captain". Welsh Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 17 March 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  23. "Rules of the RBS 6 Nations Championship". Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
  24. "2009 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures". rbs6nations.com. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
  25. "First Friday night game?". sixnationsweb.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
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