At the outset of the championship, we might have expected at least one of these teams to be playing for the title on the last day but that's not the case.
They’re probably fighting for a third-placed finish at best.
If it was the England side that we saw at the start of the championship then you would fancy an Irish win but they were outstanding against France last time out.
Having lost James Ryan and Garry Ringrose early in the week, to lose Will Connors to a training-ground injury yesterday was a massive blow, and especially a player of the quality of Ryan, considering how good Ireland’s set-piece has been.
The pendulum seems to be swinging very much towards England I’m afraid.
Whether by accident or design, we ended up with a back row for the last two games of Tadhg Beirne, CJ Stander at 8 and Connors, who were absolutely outstanding.
Now, because of injuries, none of those players feature in the positions that they were originally selected in and CJ is the only one who is still in the back row. Beirne gone to second row, CJ gone to 6 and Jack Conan coming in at No 8, so a lot of disruption.
I would have loved to have seen Ryan Baird being given an opportunity in the second row and keeping Beirne in the back row but once again Andy Farrell has gone with the tried and trusted.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
Follow Ireland v England (kick-off 4.45pm, Saturday) via our live blog on RTE.ie and the RTÉ News app or listen live on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport. Highlights on Against the Head on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, 8pm Monday.
