England’s encounter with Ireland is a fascinating one isn’t it?
The final weekend of the Six Nations Championship, England coming into it off the back of two losses, Ireland with a Grand Slam on the line and week that has been far from quiet off the field too.
Of course we could have had a straight shoot-out for a Grand Slam and what a prospect that would have been however I personally am fascinated by this encounter. The more people I have spoken to about this game, the more I’ve heard the same sentiments and the words ‘I’m just not sure I can call it’.
Now I realise that to some reading this article that sounds absurd. However, allow me to explain my perspective and why I cannot wait to watch the action unfold on Saturday afternoon.
When it comes to this match the unknowns are greater than usual, on both sides of the fence. For England the fact that Eddie Jones has decided to twist his personnel and make seven changes does bring the first element of the unknown.
Yes tried and tested partnerships are being placed into the Test arena – Richard Wigglesworth and Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and George Kruis – however as a collective will England, in this formulation and this guise, be able to deliver off the back of two potentially confident-knocking losses?
The second unknown from an English perspective is whether or not they can fix the fundamental issues that they have been exhibiting during the past two Test matches. The breakdown being the most obvious alongside their tardy pace of adapting. With Ireland in their faces and well aware of their current ‘fragilities’ do they have the personnel and courage of convictions to lift themselves to victory at home?
From an Irish perspective the first focal point is the weight of expectation and the weight of pressure that comes with having a Grand Slam on the line.
This Irish side are an established team and a team full of players that have cut it at the highest level, be that for their clubs in the European Cup or as individuals in the British and Irish Lions. Yet, most have not shouldered the burden that comes with this particular situation – a Grand Slam opportunity. Will they thrive? Will they romp to victory like we saw England do against Ireland back in 2003 in Dublin? Or will they find it too much no matter how much they prepare not to?
In this game, more than any other during the Championship, both side’s emotional levels, and their control over them, will be pivotal. This was an area that Eddie Jones focused on during the week and openly admitted that England had got it wrong against Scotland and France.
"You don't understand what the Six Nations is until you're really in it. The emotional part of the game is enormous in the Six Nations," England’s head coach said.
"It's probably more than any other tournament I've experienced about your ability to not get over-aroused, not to be under-aroused, to be at the right arousal level. Looking back at Scotland we were probably over-aroused and sometimes it looks like lethargy and again that was my responsibility, I got it wrong.”
England are going into this game with ample pressure of their own, not when it comes to things regarding the Championship but when it comes to the criticism being levelled at them from all sides. In the space of a few short weeks it has ramped up considerably. Of course there are elements that aren’t there and their performances have exposed key weaknesses however from my perspective the intensity has been a touch severe. These periods happen in the development of sporting outfits, it’s how professional teams grow and develop. The famous class of 2003 that I just mentioned didn’t always have it all their own way, look at the path that Saracens have been on this season too as an example.
"This is going to be good for us,” said Eddie Jones, honestly, on Thursday at England’s training base in Bagshot.
"I love it. This is what we get paid for as coaches. It's the best time in rugby, when you are under the pump and you have got to produce it. And the team feels the same way.
"It is a fantastic test for us. It is the first time that we have been tested like this. It is better off happening now than later on."
Toeing the party line? Saying it for the sake of it? No. We all know that the Australian isn’t just delivering these messages because they’re the right thing to say during challenging times. He means them and his team will too as they approach the considerable challenge that is being laid at their door this weekend.
On paper, even with the weight of a Grand Slam expectation on them, Ireland’s noses are in front. Yet, if England in this formation click and if they iron out even just 90% of their issues from their previous two games then we’re in for one hell of a ride.
Passions will run high, the odd tear or two will be shed by fans and even perhaps players either way and the competition that runs with title of ‘Rugby’s Greatest Championship’ will live up to its name. Roll on 2.45pm.
England: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Jonny May, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Ben Te'o, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 James Haskell, 8 Sam Simmonds. Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Don Armand, 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Mike Brown.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 James Ryan, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Dan Leavy, 8 CJ Stander. Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour.
