Ireland took on Scotland today in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table Six Nations clash in Murrayfield on Sunday.
While there were more than a few flairs of excitement on the field, Munster and Ireland legend Ronan O'Gara was delivering his own moments of magic on his return to punditry duty with the BBC.
Recalling his last major contribution in an Irish shirt, high in the stands of the very stadium where it occurred in 2013, the pain of past mistakes was clear to see in O'Gara's face.
In the grasp of a scuffle for the starting jersey with Paddy Jackson; O'Gara had entered the fray hoping to swing the one-point deficit Ireland were facing. Disastrously, O'Gara attempted an ambitious cross-field kick that sent his side scrambling back to their own try line and ultimately led to the decisive penalty that would see Scotland defeat Ireland.
Just like that, one of Irish rugby's greatest-ever servants' time in green was over. Ronan O'Gara never played for Ireland again.
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O'Gara winces as he's forced to recall infamous last dance in green
Back in Murrayfield more than a decade later to offer his thoughts on Ireland v Scotland for the BBC, host Gabby Logan asked O'Gara about his mixed record in the Scottish capital.
While in the presence of test greats Martin Johnson, Sam Warburton and John Barclay, O'Gara had little issue making light of his end in green, for a split second as that cross-field kick was mentioned you could see the pain in his eyes.
Woah, woah hold on, normally good results no? You set me up nicely but we've only lost four times in the last twenty five years Gabby.
Pushed by Gabby Logan for a more 'personal experience', O'Gara revealed he'd been well reminded about 2013.
I was reminded earlier I retired here, 2013, I came off the bench and I came up with a super cross kick that went 20 metres backwards, I'd a second chance to relieve pressure, missed touch, chase offside, penalty Scotland, game over.
I never played again for Ireland, but there's a different energy here when you're the opposing ten, when they're flowing their game and they get tempo they get away from you and their ruck speed and all of a sudden you're wondering 'these guys are possessed today and that's what it was back then.
"Woah, woah, woah hold on, normally good results, no!?"
Ronan O'Gara has some experience at Murrayfield 👀 pic.twitter.com/8M3hW5Snvh— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 9, 2025
While it was undoubtedly a tough few minutes in the punditry box for O'Gara, having the Munster legend out of the dugout and back on the screen only reminded us of why he's so well-loved.
