'Lifting the trophy in your suit was certainly an odd one'

As the Six Nations concludes this weekend with three different teams in three different games still harbouring realistic hopes of getting their hands on the trophy, the dramatic finale in store evokes memories of 10 years ago and the original 'Super Saturday'.

Then, like now, the three frontrunners had all won three and lost one of their first four games.

A decade ago, however, before the introduction of bonus points to the competition, permutations were fewer and margins finer with only points difference separating the sides.

It all made for one of the most dramatic days in the competition's storied history...and a memorable Irish victory.

Just as in this year's competition, Ireland were reigning champions and, after opening their title defence with three wins, lost in round four to scupper hopes of a Grand Slam.

Defeat by Wales opened the door for Warren Gatland's side who were bound for Rome and would open the action in round five, but it was England who started the day top of the table with their hosting of France to be the final game of the championship.

Ireland played Scotland at Murrayfield in the middle kick-off, knowing they would have a target to beat set by Wales and then endure a nervous wait to see how events played out in Twickenham.

Between leaving their hotel and taking the field in Edinburgh, Joe Schmidt's side were left under no illusions as to the size of the challenge they faced to claim back to back titles for the first time since 1949.

"We turned up at the stadium in the bus and to get to the changing rooms, it's all really slow behind the bagpipers," recalls wing Tommy Bowe.

"They had the Welsh match on the big screen and you could see that they were putting up a cricket score."

Having become known as a ruthlessly efficient if occasionally risk averse outfit under Schmidt, it was clear the strategy for the day would require something of a departure.

After scoring only four tries in their first four games, the size of Wales' 61-20 victory meant Ireland needed to win by at least three converted scores.

"Joe had given us a fairly clear idea of what we needed to do," added Bowe,

"Then all of a sudden, he came in and said 'scrap that, we need to win by 21'.

"The whole gameplan changed, we had to go chasing."

Ireland selected Luke Fitzgerald on the left wing, marking the Leinster man's first international start in almost four years.

A career-threatening neck problem among other injuries kept the 2009 British and Irish Lion on the sidelines, but Schmidt backed him to "bring a real freshness" on his return.

Fitzgerald remembers the game "being played a frantic pace" but Ireland embraced the unusual scenario and moved beyond the magic 21-point target just after the hour-mark.

"I got a few nice touches myself, which was great. That settled me down early in the game," said Fitzgerald.

"We were playing really well and probably left one or two out there, we had some other good opportunities."

Sean O'Brien's second try of the game boosted their points difference further in the closing stages but, with five minutes remaining, it appeared their title aspirations were dealt a serious blow.

Taking Finn Russell's flung pass on the right wing, Stuart Hogg went over in the corner and bounced up in celebration.

Only after a TMO review did it become clear that Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip dislodged the ball in the grounding.

"It's the one thing I always remember about Jamie, that tackle," said Fitzgerald.

"I think it encapsulated his career. He was such a details guy, really hard working, really fit.

"It was one that we could have let go but he stayed concentrating right to the end."

Ireland had one last opportunity to set England an even more imposing target. Fly-half Ian Madigan, on as a replacement for Johnny Sexton, had already converted O'Brien's latter score, but saw a final penalty attempt drift off target.

"There was a decision on whether to kick three or go to the corner and for points difference, it was decided to take three," Madigan remembered.

"I knew it was an important kick, struck it well [but] it drew wide.

"Immediately, I was praying."

As Ireland players filtered off the field and up for their post-match meal, it looked as if France were to do them a favour as they raced into a 15-7 lead.

"As I came out of the changing room I could see they got off to a flier and I relaxed," Madigan said.

"In the time that I'd put the bags on the bus, spoken to my family and got up to the function room, the game had turned on its head and England were right back in it."

Ultimately, the 12-try thriller remained delicately poised throughout. With England six points shy of the required margin in the final moments, either Heaslip's tackle or Madigan's penalty miss would loom large for Ireland.

"I was a nervous wreck for the entirety of the game," added Madigan.

"Johnny [Sexton] actually spoke to me and I'll never forget him saying if it does come down to points difference it's not on me, that he'd missed kicks and other players had made mistakes.

"It helped but not by much."

As Ireland's players watched on in Murrayfield, England advanced to the French line in the final minute. Les Bleus won the turnover, but the most dramatic of days was not quite over yet.

"France tried to play out and we were all screaming 'what are you doing?' at the television," said Bowe.

"Eventually the scrum-half finally saw a bit of sense and kicked it out.

"Of course, we all went mad celebrating. I think there were maybe a few claps from the Scots through gritted teeth as well."

At the final whistle, Madigan had "never felt relief like it" and Murrayfield was re-opened to the Irish fans who had stayed in the vicinity of the stadium following events at Twickenham on a big screen.

Still suited and booted, the players took to the pitch a second time in Edinburgh and celebrated with a replica trophy, the genuine article having been in London in anticipation of an English victory.

Bowe remembers winning a Six Nations when "sitting down at the table with your food and a pint" as a surreal experience.

"Fair play to Scotland for keeping the stadium open," he added.

"Whenever we won we went out and there must have been over 10,000 still there. It was an amazing occasion.

"Lifting the Six Nations trophy in your suit, it was certainly an odd one."