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

As the Six Nations concludes this weekend with three teams in three different games harbouring realistic trophy hopes, the 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, they 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 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 re 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 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 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 ed.

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

"Immediately, I was praying."