 Will Carling experienced victory and defeat on Grand Slam day |
England's victory in Dublin defied historical precedent as they became the first away side to triumph when the Grand Slam was at stake for both sides. Here BBC Sport recalls the five previous occasions when the ultimate prize in European rugby has been on the line.
18 March 1978, Cardiff - Wales 16-7 France
Welsh legends Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards both bid farewell to Test rugby in fitting style, Bennett leading by example with two tries on the day.
Legendary French flanker Jean-Claude Skrela scored his side's only try as he too bowed out alongside captain Jean Pierre Bastiat and lock Michel Palmie.
17 March 1984, Murrayfield - Scotland 21-12 France
The finest hour of Scotland full-back Peter Dods, who kicked five penalties and converted their only try scored by flanker Jim Calder.
France replied with a try from scrum-half Jerome Gallion, but it was not the farewell that visiting captain Jean-Pierre Rives would have hoped for.
17 March 1990, Murrayfield - Scotland 13-7 England
 Scotland defied the odds in 1990 |
From the slow walk onto the pitch, captain David Sole led Scotland to one of the biggest upsets in Five Nations history on a tidal wave of passion. A Jeremy Guscott try helped England to a 6-4 half-time lead, but Tony Stanger's momentous try and three Craig Chalmers penalties saw Scotland home.
16 March 1991, Twickenham - England 21-19 France
Rory Underwood scored England's only try while full-back Simon Hodgkinson landed 14 points with the boot.
But the match is remembered for a sensational French try - their third - late on, started from his own line by Serge Blanco and finished by Philippe Saint-Andr�.
18 March 1995, Twickenham - England 24-12 Scotland
 Andrew kicked England to victory in 1995 |
A tryless and dour encounter saw Rob Andrew kick England to victory, scoring all his team's points and passing 300 Test points in the process. Scotland responded with two drop goals from Craig Chalmers and two penalties from Gavin Hastings, but they never got close to repeating their feat of 1990.
30 March 2003, Lansdowne Road - Ireland 6-42 England
The anticipated close encounter never materialised as England stretched away in the second half with a commanding performance.
An early try from Lawrence Dallaglio helped the visitors to a 13-6 half-time lead, and four more tries after the interval banished the Grand Slam gremlins.