The final podcast in the series looks back at World Cup 2011, and it was another quarter-final exit with plenty of disappointment for Ireland.
The original decision to award the World Cup to New Zealand was controversial, as George points out, and the early going had suggested that it may well be Japan who would be named as hosts. However, the decision was made, and despite concerns over infrastructure, the tournament went to the Kiwis.
Kidney is Ireland's coach as they prepare for the tournament, but the major talking point in the Pool stages were the rumours which began to surface suggesting that Lievremont had lost control of the French team and that the players were ready to go off on their own under Thierry Dusautoir.
Ireland's pivotal game of the early stages was against Australia, and the excitement that resulted from the win meant that the media began to speculate that there was a good chance that Ireland were now in position to go on and win the World Cup.
Of course, we all know that didn't happen, as Wales produced a display that shocked the Boys in Green and sent them home at the quarter-final stage again, wondering what they would need to do to finally make it over that tricky hurdle.
Gatland's men marched on to meet France, but Alain Rolland's decision to issue a red card in the semi-final and reduce them to 14 men was both brave and pivotal, as it helped France to reach the final where they would famously face New Zealand.
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