The stage is set this weekend for a clash between an in-form Irish team left disappointed after the World Cup and an English team that can pull off surprises, especially on home turf.
Saturday will see Ireland and England face each other, with back-to-back Grand Slams within arms reach of Ireland for the first time.
Both teams have lost their talismanic flyhalves; with Jonathan Sexton retiring after quarter-final anguish and Owen Farrell leaving the
English team to play in France. Both have been replaced by young guns, battling to become the new face of their respective sides; the lauded Marcus Smith of Harlequins has an undeniable flair and the chance to pull off something special; he is making his return to the Six Nations after a calf injury. When he comes off the bench, he will face Jack Crowley, the young Munster man following in the footsteps of Sexton, well versed in the shapes and ruck- speed that has brought Ireland such success under headcoach Andy Farrell but with an added dimension of speed that Sexton lacked in his last games. For now, George Forde’s rugby mind and drop-goal abilities have kept him as the primary 10 for England, with Smith having to wait again.
England will be looking for results; they were left limping after last week’s clash with Scotland, while the last two years have seen Ireland dominate the 6 Nations. Last year’s clash on St Patrick’s Weekend saw England front up for the first 60 minutes, before a barrage of tries by Henshaw and Kelleher saw the match finish 29-16.
England also fell flat in the Summer Test Series before the World Cup too, with red cards dominating our last two encounters. England will aim to avoid reckless tackles like last year that put them at an even greater disadvantage against a prime Irish side.
Ireland have looked unfazed in the post-Sexton era. The only complaint to level at the team is they almost try too much; high speed pods with back door options brought massive pace to the Welsh and Italian games, only held back by the occasional knock on. The addition of Joe McCarthy at lock has tightened up our lineouts and added much needed muscle at breakdowns. Crowley has solidified his position as the new 10, trying more chips over the top and bringing aforementioned pace, adding yet another option to Ireland’s iconic shapes that allow a good flyhalf like Crowley to choose the best option to break down oppositions.
England on the other hand have attempted to use a highly adaptive, almost shapeless gameplan, which has faltered at the 6 Nations but did carry the team to semi-finals in Paris.
The ever-present and moral boosting Peter O’Mahony will be serving as captain again, a role he is excelling in following Sexton’s retirement.
The English back three have been supplemented with new faces like George Furbank and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Saturday will be his first international start), while Calvin Nash of Munster has filled in for Connacht’s own Mack Hansen this six nations. Expect to see the great left boot of James Lowe engaging in kick battles this weekend, as well as the return of Hugo Keenan, the safest pair of hands under pressure.
The old Connacht pairing of Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw at 12 and 13 have had a revival, making linebreaks and powerful tackles every week, while the English have stuck to the Lawrence/Slade duo that underperformed somewhat against Scotland last week. Both teams feature stacked benches; England have opted to bring three backs with Danny Care, Smith and Elliot Daly, while Ireland have stuck to a familiar six forwards to two backs split, with Connacht’s Finlay Bealham featuring at replacement tighthead.
When Care comes off the bench for England, it will be his 100th cap at scrumhalf. With so many caps between the two panels, this match will guarantee plenty of old grudges and personal tussles.
England should never be underestimated; they lost by only one point to South Africa in the semi-finals and are on home soil after a bad loss to Scotland. It’s all to play for, with Grand Slam glory at stake for Ireland.