6N Preview: England v Ireland

Stuart Lancaster will try to strengthen his grip on the “dream job” of coaching England when they face Ireland in the climax of this season’s Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

Lancaster was appointed on an “interim” basis for the tournament following Martin Johnson’s post World Cup resignation and at the time many thought the former coach of England’s reserve team would be just a stop-gap option.

But fast forward a couple of months and Lancaster has now become the first England coach to preside over three away wins in a single Six Nations season and his team have a chance, albeit slim, of taking the title.

Significantly, the bold and gutsy way England beat World Cup finalists France 24-22 in Paris last weekend – scoring three tries in the process – has left the Rugby Football Union with plenty of explaining to do should they appoint, for example, former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett rather than give Lancaster the job on a full-time basis.

The faith shown by Lancaster in the likes of rookie captain Chris Robshaw and 20-year-old flyhalf Owen Farrell has been reflected back by the squad towards their boss.

“If you ask any coach in any sport in any country ‘what is the ultimate aim?’ it is to coach in your sport the national team,” said Lancaster.

“To that end it is the dream job. What I enjoy most is working with people, helping them improve and building teams and you are doing that at the highest level,” he added.

And, regardless of what happens this weekend, Lancaster is convinced England are on the right path ahead of their tour of South Africa later this year and the 2015 World Cup on home soil.

“We are definitely heading in the right direction. Irrespective of what happens to the coaching team they can see that the South Africa tour is coming around the corner,” Lancaster said.

“You are trying to paint that long-term picture all the time and the ultimate long-term picture is 2015. We are moving in the right direction but there is still more to do.”

England, should Grand Slam chasers Wales lose heavily to France earlier Saturday, could take the title if they produce a convincing win over Ireland.

But getting past Ireland – who won’t lack for support on St Patrick’s Day – will be no easy task.

Ireland may have squandered leads in a galling defeat by Wales and a frustrating draw with France but they come into this match having won seven of their last eight Six Nations internationals against England.

“England is the one match we all love and it is the one, being Irish, you get excited for,” said Ireland full-back Rob Kearney.

“If you are winning so many games against them it probably means you’re a better side,” he added.

“I’d like to think that trend will continue on Saturday.”

But Lancaster, who has recalled wing David Strettle following a chest injury in the only change to the starting side that beat France, said history was only so much of a guide.

“I think Ireland will know enough about us to recognise we are probably a slightly different side to the one that’s played previously and they’ll be looking at us in a different way.

“As coaches, while you refer back to the past – it gives you a reference point – it doesn’t define what will happen on Saturday.”

Ireland may be without injured star duo Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell but their absence didn’t stop them overwhelming Scotland 32-14 last week.

Nevertheless, ever cautious Ireland coach Declan Kidney – who on Saturday will welcome back flanker Sean O’Brien from a foot injury – has been impressed by England.

“They are playing really well for one another and like all English sides at Twickenham, they will be a force,” he said.

Players to watch:

For England: There has ben a lot of talk about backline players like Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt, and the return of win David Strettle. However, the real star of this backline is flyhalf Owen Farrell, a young man of immense talent in his first season of Test rugby. England may well have solved the headache that so often bothered them in the absence of Jonny Wilkinson – first through injury and more recent through retirement from the international arena.

For Ireland: The return of destructive flank Sean O’Brien has been hailed by all in Ireland, but the real focus will be on lock – where the absence of veteran Paul O’Connell will mean Donnacha Ryan – in for his Munster teammate – will be tested once again. The defence of Keith Earls and Gordon D’Arcy will also be tested, as will the decision making of flyhalf Jonathan Sexton.

Head to head: There are some great battles all over the park, but Owen Farrell (England) against Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) will truly be pivotal to the outcome of the match. Up front the set piece battles will be crucial Geoff Parling and Mouritz Botha (England) against Donnacha Ryan and Donncha O’Callaghan (Ireland), followed by the front rows – England’s Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley and Alex Corbisiero against the Irish trio of Mike Ross, Rory Best and Cian Healy. For good measure, throw in the loose forward arm-wrestle – Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw and Tom Croft (England) against Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Stephen Ferris (Ireland).

Recent results:
2011: England won 20-9, Dublin
2011: Ireland won 24-8, Dublin
2010: Ireland won 20-16, London
2009: Ireland won 14-13, Dublin
2008: England won 33-10, London
2007: Ireland won 43-13, Dublin
2006: Ireland won 28-24, London
2005: Ireland won 19-13, Dublin
2004: Ireland won 19-13, London
2003: England won 42-6, Dublin

Prediction: Ireland have made a habit of spoiling England’s party. They have every chance of doing so again. They have the talent, the experience and the desire. However, England have made great strides this season and under Stuart Lancaster they are beginning to look a real force again. England to sneak an arm-wrestle and win by less than 10 points.

Teams:

England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Tom Croft, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Charlie Hodgson, 22 Mike Brown.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Mike McCarthy, 19 Peter O’Mahony, 20 Tomas O’Leary, 21 Ronan O’Gara, 22 Fergus McFadden.

Date: Saturday, March 17
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 17.00 GMT
Expected weather: Light rain showers expected. High of 13°C and a low of 6°C
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garces (France), Neil Paterson (Scotland)
TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland)

AFP & rugby365.com