Ireland, unlike the other eight original members of the International Rugby Board, had to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2003 after failing to reach the quarter final stages of the last tournament after losing a crucial game to Argentina.
The Irish duly entered the Europe zone qualifiers in round four knowing that victories over Russia and Georgia in September 2002 would guarantee them a place in the showpiece as Pool winners.
Ireland emerged from Krasnoyarsk with a 35-3 defeat of Russia in their opening game before overcoming the emerging Georgians 63-14 at Lansdowne Road in a match which saw them held pointless for much of the second half.
1999 was the first time Ireland had failed to reach the last eight at a Rugby World Cup, having lost there to Australia in 1987 and 1991 with France their conquerors at that stage in 1995.
The closest of these quarter final defeats came in 1991 when Ireland had seemingly snatched a shock victory with Gordon Hamilton’s late try only for Michael Lynagh to break Irish hearts with the winning try to clinch a 19-18 win for Australia.
Their finest hour arguably came in 1948 when, inspired by Jack Kyle, they clinched their one and only Grand Slam in the Five Nations. Brian O’Driscoll’s current side also took the 2003 Six Nations down to the wire, but were outplayed by England in the winner takes all match at Lansdowne Rd.
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 Pool A rivals Australia and Argentina at Lansdowne Road.
Ireland play an exciting and expansive game with Brian O’Driscoll emerging as one of the world’s best centres, and Geordan Murphy’s running from deep a constant threat. Meanwhile the return of captain Keith Wood after a lengthy absence will bolster the front row.