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Now for decisive Dublin showdown

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell knows his side need to up their game ahead of what could be a crunch Six Nations clash with England in a fortnight's time.

The defending champions and Stuart Lancaster's team are the only unbeaten sides in the Championship, following Ireland's hard-fought win over France and England's commanding victory against Italy.

But O'Connell knows his team will need to find a new level for what could be a potential Grand Slam decider in a fortnight's time after holding off a French fightback in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

"I don't have the greatest record against France myself so every time we beat them it is massive, but the English game is going to be a different level," he said.

"If you look at the way they played against Wales, particularly in the second-half coming back form 0-10 down, then I think it is going to be a challenge that not many of us have ever faced before."

Jonathan Sexton was Ireland's bloodied and bruised hero after two clashes with the head of Mathieu Bastareaud.

Now for decisive Dublin showdownHis 15-point haul, following a 12-week concussion lay-off, was the difference in a 18-11 victory over a stubborn France at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland have now won nine straight games and haven't lost since last year's encounter with England at Twickenham.

And head coach Joe Schmidt knows what lies ahead will really test that impressive record, which has moved his side to fourth in the world rankings.

"We did some things really well and our set pieces were great and our scrum was really good," he said.

"The England game is absolutely massive now.

"They've set the benchmark against Wales last week and we'll need a big performance from our team and the crowd.

"It's 12 months that we've been unbeaten but it will be incredibly tough to keep that going.

"England are incredibly well coached and they've a fantastic balance to their side that makes them very, very tough to beat."

 @rbs_6_nations

 

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