History of the Ireland national rugby union team the Autumn and were caught cold losing 32–10. They were still good enough to beat England, spoiling their hopes of a Grand Slam, and finishing second on points difference. Eddie O'Sullivan took over as coach from Warren Gatland in November 2001 following the New Zealander's sacking. The 2003 Six Nations Championship came down to the wire with Ireland and England playing a Grand Slam decider at Lansdowne Road. England, however, won 42–6. That defeat ended an unbeaten run that stretched back 10 Tests to their Rugby World Cup qualifiers warm up against Romania in September 2002 and included defeats of
2008 Six Nations Under 20s Championship 2008 Six Nations Under 20s Championship The 2008 Six Nations Under 20s Championship was a rugby union competition held between February and March 2008. This is the first competition of the tournament of less than 20 years , born from the merger of tournament U19 tournament and U21. The England team won this first edition of the tournament by making a Grand Slam. England won the first tournament along with the Grand Slam and Triple Crown. Noah Cato (ENG) - 6 Leigh Halfpenny (WAL) - 3 Zagar, Bastareaud (both FRA), Strain (SCO), Stegmann, Ellis, Cox, Eves (all ENG) - 2