Ronan O'Gara says he has 'no recollection' of the last time Scotland ruined Ireland's Triple Crown hopes in Dublin, in spite of playing just under 30 minutes of the match.
Current Ireland captain Johnny Sexton started that match in Croke Park. It was a game that should have gone the way of the hosts, as they had already beaten England in Twickenham and Wales in Dublin.
However, Dan Parks and his Scottish side had other ideas, as he slotted a final penalty to take the visitors to a 23-20 victory.
That year happened to be the last time France won a Grand Slam, which they look set to do this year again if they beat Eddie Jones' England in Paris.
'The scars are still with me... it was a bad day to have a packed out Croke Park' | 🏴
Johnny Sexton recalled the last time Scotland came to Dublin and spoilt the Triple Crown party | 🏉@VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs
Full video ➡️ https://t.co/qMNQUs1NB3 pic.twitter.com/NqCfslNKMl— Off The Ball (@offtheball) March 17, 2022
Earlier in the week, Sexton recalled that day in Croke Park, as the last member of the team currently in the national squad.
"I think I'm the sole survivor from that day," Sexton said. "The scars are still with me. They had nothing to play for that day, we had a Triple Crown on the line.
"They came and did a job. They played brilliant rugby and it was a bad day to have a packed out Croke Park. We got nothing out of the game."
'What he's trying to say is it wasn't his fault!' | 😂
Ronan O'Gara says he can't remember losing the Triple Crown match against Scotland in 2010 | 🏉@GilletteUK | #EffortlessFlow
Full chat ➡️ https://t.co/mCIRpWvpJp pic.twitter.com/YMGbqpExd6— Off The Ball (@offtheball) March 18, 2022
'I have no recollection'
While Sexton played for 52 minutes in that match, O'Gara came on in the second half, and even slotted a few penalties of his own to keep Ireland level and in with a few final shots at winning the Triple Crown.
In spite of this, the current La Rochelle head coach said on Friday's OTB AM that he has 'no recollection' of how he felt losing the tie.
"I saw Johnny comment on it during the week," O'Gara said. "I have no recollection. I can remember Dan Parks kicked a conversion from touchline so I knew it was a good day for Scotland!"
"What he is trying to say there, is that it wasn't his fault that Scotland won that game!" Alan Quinlan, who joined O'Gara on OTB AM quickly interjected.
Host Aisling O'Reilly reminded O'Gara of his involvement in the match, including his two penalties to level the scores at 17-all and 20-all.
"I don't know," O'Gara said. "I honestly don't know! I remember it was Croke Park, and I was fascinated to get into it, but I never googled the article after the comments by Johnny.
"I do remember the game, I can remember where I was standing at the end of the game, but what a big disappointment that was."
Sexton is hoping to use the memory of the hurt from that defeat in 2010 to spur himself and his teammates on when they host a Scotland side with nothing to lose on Saturday.
"The benefit of having experience is that you have someone like that to explain to the lads to say, 'listen, we need to get our preparation spot on'," Sexton said.
"We've got very good coaches focusing on the process, and making sure we get our jobs right. I'm not sure too many of the lads will remember 2010, but I definitely will."
