IT WAS A special season for Irish rugby with Joe Schmidt’s men capturing a 6 Nations title as well as scalping two southern hemisphere powerhouses in the autumn.
Nine wins out of ten is a spectacular return by any measurement and here are some of the best photos from one of Ireland’s most successful season’s.
Ireland 28-6 ScotlandJoe Schmidt prepares for his first 6 Nations game as coach
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Rob Kearney stretches for a try
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Marty Moore gets his first cap after the game
Ireland 26-3 WalesLeigh Halfpenny almost shaves Gordon D’Arcy’s beard with his studs
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Cian Healy celebrates Chris Henry’s try
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Paul O’Connell guffawed at the thought of Wales contending for the 6 Nations
Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO
England 13-10 IrelandJoe Schmidt laughs off Dylan Hartley’s come-and-get-me plea
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Jonny May drops a clanger early on
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
The fans belted out Ireland’s Call with gusto
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Rob Kearney scored a brilliant try straight from the training paddock
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Brian O’Driscoll’s last game at Twickenham ended in defeat
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Ireland 46-7 ItalyThis Italian fan is a hero
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Andrew Trimble claims he got the ball down
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Brian O’Driscoll leaves the Aviva as an Ireland player for the last time
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
France 20-22 IrelandJohnny Sexton scores a try for Ireland
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Mathieu Bastareaud bulldozes through the Irish defence
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
The Irish team celebrate with the 6 Nations trophy
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
The win allowed Brian O’Driscoll to go out on top
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Argentina 17-29 IrelandJohnny Sexton’s try-scoring form continued
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Argentina 17-23 IrelandSimon Zebo was back in the Ireland squad for the summer tour
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Darren Cave was hoping to impress Joe Schmidt
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Ireland 29-15 South AfricaDevin Toner claims a lineout
Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO
Rhys Ruddock peels off a maul to score just after half time
Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO
Jared Payne made his international debut at 13
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Ireland 49-7 GeorgiaMike Ross and Dave Foley got some light reading in beforehand
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Dave Kilcoyne made a few trademark bursts
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Dominic Ryan and Dave Foley made their Ireland debuts
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Ireland 26-23 AustraliaSimon Zebo finished a try off excellently early on
Johnny Sexton kicks the winning penalty
Peter O’Mahony celebrates at this final whistle
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