Tommy Bowe has said Ireland will be aware of the magnitude of the game when they face England in the RBS 6 Nations on Sunday, but that they must take the emotion out of the game.
With both sides going into Sunday’s clash with two wins apiece, the game seems likely to be crucial in deciding who will win this year’s championship.
Bowe said that the Irish players were aware of the importance of the game, but stressed the importance of keeping cool.
“We obviously know what a massive game it is,” Bowe said, at the announcement of Ireland's starting XV for the game. “Ireland against England at home is always an enormous match.
“But for us, the last week, even [training in] Galway – everything has been focused toward this game.
“We’re not really getting carried away, and the emotional side of things, looking at the bigger picture [hasn’t featured].
"We’ll do our homework on them. But we’ll go out there with our own preparations, and look to try and put out game on them as well" - Tommy Bowe
“I think we’re very excited as a team about it. We’re high in confidence. We’ve played some decent rugby in the last couple of games, and I think two top teams coming up against each other is going to be a massive challenge.”
Asked about Ireland’s opponents on Sunday, Bowe said that although England had won their opening two games against Wales and Italy, they had been tested, and hinted at ways in Ireland could flourish.
“I think the Welsh did very well. They put them under a lot of pressure, put the ball behind them, made them go back for it, and kind of squeezed them.”
Bowe said that changes to England’s back line would not affect Irish preparation, as Ireland had studied every member of the squad as part of their preparations for the Six Nations.
“I think with the likes of [Jack] Nowell and [Alex] Goode coming in; I think they’re two top-quality players. I don’t think there’s a huge difference with the guys they swapped with.
“So, we’ll do our homework on them. But we’ll go out there with our own preparations, and look to try and put our game on them as well.”
