RBS 6 Nations: Ireland v England

by Brendan Cole

As many Ireland supporters are only beginning to discover, the problem with following a successful team is that each match brings with it the possibility that the dream will suddenly turn into a bust.

Munster fans have dealt with this rather enjoyable form of stress - if it can be called that - for quite some time, and though Ireland are still a ways off matching the spectacular campaigns of the men in red, the green shoots that could yet become substantive achievements are very much in evidence in this team.

That said, winning the three games in front of them is nothing Ireland haven't done before and a Six Nations Grand Slam would represent probably the greatest achievement ever in Irish rugby. No pressure then.

Further motivation for many of the players will be derived from the fact that this is most likely the Irish rugby team's last ever chance to play England at Croke Park.

As with the 2007 Ireland team, this group appear to understand that it's a special honour.

But there is no doubt that this England will represent a stiffer test than the Brian Ashton-coached shambles that took the field two years ago. Though they may lack the class of France, Martin Johson's men set a standard for sheer bloody-mindedness against Wales and Ireland can expect more of the same.

That said, they are a flawed opponent with leaders and outstanding performers in short supply - no coincidence.

A particular problem is that the captain Steve Borthwick has been virtually anonymous thus far - with embarrassingly poor stats the sole talking point in terms of his on-field contribution. The permanent comparison between the current captain and Johnson the player cannot be helping this team.

Live coverage of Ireland v England in RBS Six Nations on RTÉ One television, RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday Sport and our Six Nations Media Player.

That Joe Worsley, England's best player over 80 minutes last week, earned his man of the match award with a desperate effort to limit Wales by marking their centres out of the game is also telling. Overall, their approach so far has smacked of negative rugby, though the selection of Toby Flood hints at a slight change of direction.

In contrast, Ireland have twin figureheads in Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell who have produced the goods in spades so far, with the likes of Stephen Ferris, Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald not far behind.

The contribution of O'Connell, an uncomplicated player who is fully fit and in flying form, is not surprising but it is notable how the questions that surrounded Brian O'Driscoll's leadership and form have faded almost totally since this tournament began.

As many suspected, it now appears that, rather than suffering any loss of ability, O'Driscoll's huge talent has often been buried in underperforming Leinster and Ireland teams these past few years.

He is currently prospering playing as a proper outside centre with a complementary player in Paddy Wallace alongside and a good supply from both his pack and half-backs.

Wallace may not be the physically strongest or fastest but it is his habits that have proved key so far. The Ulsterman is comfortable in deep positions as well as rather on top of the opposition the defensive line and it comes easily to him to change the direction of the play.

Ireland - complementary selections at centre

So, instead of having two players filling the one job in the centre, Ireland have a 'second five-eighth' (a second out-half who can run the ball if needed) player that can bring the outside-centre, wings and full-back into the game.

It has yet to bear fruit but this game may be the one in which Wallace makes a truly outstanding contribution to what has been an admirable Irish effort.

Whether he does so or not will, as ever, depend initially on the battle for possession, territory and momentum.

Ireland also look to shade the one-on-one comparisons in the outside backs: Kearney is the competition's outstanding full-back so far, with Lee Byrne's poor tackling catching the eye in the last round, while Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe have each made excellent contributions to date. Ireland could not ask any more of either.

For England, Mark Cueto and Mike Tindall both cracked in the end-game against Wales and need to be tested while Paul Sackey's defence can also be suspect. A plan that sees Ireland hit England hard and fast up front before testing them from wing to wing could yet bear fruit; it's an approach that has worked well in the past against this opposition.

In attack for England, Flood can get a team playing and Riki Flutey is a danger man but even if they do get the run on Ireland, the scramble defence, magnificent against France, could prove a trump card.

In fact, Ireland seem to have the edge across the field with a settled and powerful tight five, a lineout firing on all cylinders and a truly awesome back row. The trio of Wallace/Heaslip/Ferris could yet end up wearing Lions' red come summer and again, the complementary nature of the selection stands out: graft, power and a touch of game-breaking class.

The occasional misfires from Tomás O'Leary and Ronan O'Gara at half-back are a slight concern but that quirk has surfaced on occasion at Munster - particularly in O'Gara's case - and he tends to produce the goods under close scrutiny more often than not.

England, average or slightly better in most areas but lacking the quality and cohesion that has characterised Ireland's Championship so far, should be beaten.

If Ireland are going to be the team they threaten to be, it's a game they should probably win by a healthy margin - something like 25 to 9.

(NB: AND DON'T FORGET YOUR REF RADIOS!)

Ireland XV to face England in the RBS Six Nations at Croke Park on Saturday, 28 February at 5.30pm.

Ireland XV: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Paddy Wallace, Luke Fitzgerald, Ronan O'Gara, Tomas O'Leary, Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Stephen Ferris, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Rory Best, Tom Court, Mick O'Driscoll, Denis Leamy, Peter Stringer, Gordon D'Arcy, Geordan Murphy.

England XV: D Armitage; P Sackey, M Tindall, R Flutey, M Cueto; T Flood, H Ellis ; A Sheridan, L Mears , P Vickery , S Borthwick (capt), N Kennedy, J Haskell, J Worsley, N Easter.
Replacements: D Hartley, J White, T Croft, L Narraway, D Care, A Goode, M Tait.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch judges: Christophe Berdos (France), Peter Allan (Scotland)
TMO: Giulio de Santis (Italy)