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Latest News
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens 2021 - Men's
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 5 April, 2022
3 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Six Nations
Monday 21 February, 2022
3 min read

Six Nations memories – Ireland end long wait for Grand Slam in Cardiff

Flanker Stephen Ferris takes us back to 2009 when Ireland won their first Grand Slam in 61 years.
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Six Nations Grand Slams don’t come easily and that was certainly the case for Ireland in 2009.

It was 61 years and counting since Jackie Kyle had inspired Ireland to their last clean sweep, when the generation of Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara, Paul O’Connell and company stepped forward to try and write their names in the history books.

“We had a lot of good players that were coming together, we felt like we had a good coaching group and a lot of senior players that had been around the block longer than others. If there was a time we needed to step up, 2009 was one of the years we needed to do that,” said back-row enforcer Stephen Ferris who started every game, from the opening round win over France to the Grand Slam clincher in Cardiff.

A Grand Slam is a special achievement and something that has been achieved 11 times in the Guinness Six Nations. @WelshRugbyUnion
🏆 2005
🏆 2008
🏆 2012
🏆 2019@FranceRugby
🏆 2002
🏆 2004
🏆 2010@EnglandRugby
🏆 2003
🏆 2016@IrishRugby
🏆 2009
🏆 2018 pic.twitter.com/9Y5D91hW6i

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) January 13, 2021

France were a formidable team at the time, one year out from what would be the last of their Six Nations titles, but Ireland managed to beat them 30-21 at Croke Park to get off to a winning start.

“(Sébastien) Chabal was playing for France at that stage, he was someone I was very cautious of because he was such an athlete and was playing at the top of his game and it was a really good marker that France game (collectively and personally),” said the Ulsterman. 

“I think it was a Gordon D’Arcy try that got us over the line. We didn’t play the best rugby but that’s what the Six Nations is all about. If you don’t play particularly well, you tried to grind out a result. There was a feeling in the dressing room that we’d need to up our game if we were to achieve our ultimate goal – the Grand Slam.”

A brace of tries from Luke Fitzgerald helped Ireland beat Italy 38-9 in Rome in round two, and Ferris says he could sense Ireland were starting to head in the right direction.

“We’d been practising this little, short ball off nine, where there was a bit of dummy, I think it was from Strings (Peter Stringer), he challenged the first defender and he popped it up to me and I steamed onto it and hit the deck and I popped the ball up to Luke Fitzgerald who raced onto it and scored under the sticks. That was a really good indication that what we were doing in training was translating into games.

“Before you know it, you are two out of two.”

England came close but not close enough

England were the next visitors to Croke Park but while there was only one point between the teams (14-13 to Ireland), Ferris says the final scoreline was not really reflective of the 80 minutes.

“There was this feeling in the game that we were always in control and we were never going to let it out of our grasp. It was a good mindset to be in. Even though it was a tight game and a bit edgy after England scored late on, we always felt we could win it.”

Scotland, Ferris says, was arguably Ireland’s best performance but even then there was still only a converted try separating the teams, with Ireland leaving Murrayfield as 22-15 winners thanks to a Jamie Heaslip try and the deadly boot of O’Gara.

“We played a lot better rugby in parts in that game. I remember in the first four or five minutes, the ball was kicked long, we had a good kick chase and Simon Taylor, the Scotland back-rower, received the ball and I put in one of my hardest-ever tackles on him. In fairness, he took it well, but when I hit him, I got straight back on my feet and counter rucked and a couple of boys came in behind me and the ball spilt out and we regathered it, and we went again. A couple of moments like that set the tone.”

Ireland went to Cardiff with everything on the line and, fittingly for a Championship of small margins, it was only when Stephen Jones’ last-second penalty attempt fell just under the bar instead of over it, that Ireland could celebrate and the long end for a Grand Slam was officially over.

At that stage, Ferris was in the stands at the Millennium Stadium after a compound fracture to his finger brought his involvement to a premature conclusion in the seventh minute.

“There was lots of emotion, a feeling of euphoria and accomplishment that I will never forget,” he said.

“Myself, Tommy Bowe, Besty (Rory Best), Paddy Wallace – the Ulster lads – went around the pitch and Maurice Field, who played for Ireland and Ulster, was in the front row of the stand balling his eyes out as if someone had died.

“It was a relief for him. You could see what it meant to him, it was amazing. I went over and gave him a hug. He helped me out in the Ulster academy for a few months and I knew him quite well and it was brilliant we were able to send fans like him away happy.”

Read more: Six Nation memories: England finally deliver in Dublin >>

Trending News Show all
2018 Commonwealth Games women's final
3 min read

Commonwealth Games

All the build-up to rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

Commonwealth Games

Wed 11 May, 2022
3 min read
Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
4 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Discipline and hard work at the heart of Madagascar's success on the road to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Wed 11 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 5 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
7 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia clinch overall 2022 series title while late Lily Dick try gives them Cup win in Langford

Hosts Canada took fifth place while Ireland flyer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged 12 tries as they won bronze in the HSBC Canada Sevens in Langford.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 2 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
5 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia edge towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory in Langford as New Zealand provide thrills on return

Australia are closing in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title after a perfect start to the penultimate event of the season in Canada, while the Black Ferns came back with a bang at the Starlight Stadium.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 1 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Captains on top of the world ahead of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens in Langford

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to the home of Rugby Canada after a 1,083 day break as Australia look to clinch their first Series title since to 2018.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fri 29 April, 2022
3 min read
Santiago Gómez Cora
5 min read

rugby sevens

Santiago Gómez Cora: “You have to be patient, trust a lot and do the hard work”

World Rugby caught up with Los Pumas Sevens coach about Argentina’s recent win in the HSBC Canada Sevens and what it means to him going forward.

rugby sevens

Thu 28 April, 2022
5 min read
Charlotte Caslick
3 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

Series title within Australia’s reach as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Langford

We spoke to Australia co-captain Charlotte Caslick about her team's mindset heading into this weekend's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Langford knowing they can wrap up the series title.

HSBC Sevens Series

Wed 27 April, 2022
3 min read
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