There is a perception that back-to-back Grand Slams would have been the ideal preparation for Ireland to go where they had not gone before – the semi-final. In fact, England are the only one of the last five World Cup winners to have achieved their goal of a Six Nations title and Grand Slam in the lead-up to the competition. It is the exception to the rule. Even New Zealand came up short of their expectations in the 2011 Tri-Nations and the 2015 Rugby Championship. 1999 WORLD CUP FINAL: AUSTRALIA 35 FRANCE 12 (1999 Tri Nations: Australia 2nd) The Wallabies could do no better than a break-even two wins and losses, although they did keep the Bledisloe Cup out of the hands of the All Blacks. They finished second to New Zealand, losing away to the All Blacks (34-15) in Auckland and the Springboks (10-9) in Cape Town. 2003 WORLD CUP FINAL: ENGLAND 20 AUSTRALIA 17 (AET) (2003 Six Nations: England 1st AND Grand Slam) This is the outstanding example of how achieving in the year of a World Cup can make all the difference to a team. England and Ireland came together in March of 2003 with both nations…