Back in 2010, Andy Robinson’s Scots were seeking a victory to avoid the wooden spoon. They had lost their first two games, to France and Wales, and then gone down to Italy in Rome. They bounced back to draw 15-15 with England at Murrayfield but had found tries hard to come by throughout the championship and relied heavily on the boot of stand-off Dan Parks.
Parks was the hero in Dublin, kicking a drop goal and five penalties as Scotland won 23-20 at Croke Park. The game was Ireland’s final match in their temporary home and, like this season, they were chasing a Triple Crown. The Gaelic Games stadium was being used while the Aviva Stadium was being built on the site of their old Lansdowne Road home.
Ireland outscored Scotland two tries to one, with Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe touching down for the hosts. Johnnie Beattie scored the visitors’ try.
Then, as now, Johnny Sexton was Ireland’s stand-off but the great No 10 had an off day with the boot and was replaced in the second half by Ronan O’Gara.
Scotland’s 2010 win in Dublin was their first there in 12 years, hopefully an omen for this weekend.
Here are the players who secured a famous victory at Croke Park.
5. Al Kellock
Instrumental in Scotland's lineout dominance, Kellock went on to captain Scotland the following season. He won 56 caps for his country and led Glasgow Warriors to the Pro12 title in 2015 before hanging up his boots. Now managing director at Warriors. Photo: Peter Muhly/AFP via Getty Images
6. Kelly Brown
Part of Scotland's "Killer B's" back row with John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie, Brown won 64 caps over a dozen years with the national side. Now coaching with his former club Saracens whom he helped win their first Premiership title in 2011. Photo: Patrick Bolger/Getty Images
7. John Barclay
Won 76 caps and played at three Rugby World Cups in a storied career. This was the only time in his Scotland career that he won in Dublin. Retired in 2020 and is now a perceptive commentator on the game. Photo: Patrick Bolger/Getty Images
8. Johnnie Beattie
Scored Scotland's only try in Dublin, blasting through attempted tackles by Geordan Murphy and Paul O'Connell before stretching out an arm and dotting down. Won 38 caps and now based in France where he played for much of his career, for Montpellier, Castres and Bayonne. Photo: Lynne Cameron/PA