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Ireland v England: Everything you need to know
England already have the Six Nations title wrapped up, but victory against second-placed Ireland on Saturday will ensure they set a world record and seal back-to-back Grand Slams.
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Eddie Jones’ men put Scotland to the sword at Twickenham last weekend, Jonathan Joseph scoring a hat-trick in a 61-21 drubbing which ensured they remain champions.
The rout was England’s 18th consecutive tier-one victory – matching the record set by New Zealand last year – and they can break new ground with another success at the Aviva Stadium on the final day of the tournament.
It would also be the first time since 1992 that England have won successive Grand Slams, but they will face an Ireland side licking their wounds after their title hopes were ended by a loss to Wales in Cardiff last Friday.
Ireland beat England the last time the two nations met in Dublin two years ago, but they will have to do without injured scrum-half Conor Murray and full-back Rob Kearney.
Joe Schmidt’s men halted the All Blacks‘ winning run at 18 last November, so the world champions will be watching on hoping history repeats itself.
Happy #StPatricksDay@IrishRugby have treated us to some very special #RBS6Nations moments down the years… pic.twitter.com/M01CCp52rw
— RBS 6 Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 17, 2017
HEAD TO HEAD
Ireland: 47
England: 76
Draw: 8
RUGBY REWIND
Flashback to 1988, and one of three Chris Oti tries against Ireland at Twickenham pic.twitter.com/9cjpxO2k48— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 16, 2017
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2016?
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England made it three wins out of three under Jones and kept Ireland waiting for their first victory of the tournament with a 21-10 triumph.
Ireland led after Murray scored the opening try, but England came out on top courtesy of quick-fire scores from Anthony Watson and Mike Brown, as well as 11 points from the boot of Owen Farrell.
KEY PLAYERS
CJ Stander (Ireland)
The South Africa-born back-row has been superb for Ireland since making his debut just over a year ago. England will be wary of his explosive ball-carrying ability.
Billy Vunipola (England)
Back in the starting line-up at the expense of Nathan Hughes after making his return from injury off the bench against Scotland, Vunipola was magnificent against Ireland last year and will be eager to make an impact as he aims to make up for lost time.
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THE LINE-UPS
Ireland: Jared Payne, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo, Jonathan Sexton, Kieran Marmion; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Donnacha Ryan, Iain Henderson, CJ Stander, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
England: Mike Brown, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (captain), Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola.
COACH COMMENTS
Joe Schmidt (Ireland): “England are the big brother, they’re the guy you look over your shoulder and you’re a little bit envious of. You’re always going to try to get one over your big brother. That’s a natural personality trait. But there’s a little bit of angst and anxiety when the big brother is looking over the fence.”
Eddie Jones (England): “Any team that beats the All Blacks is a very good team, so we know that and most teams in the Six Nations have one big performance. We’ve seen that from all the teams, so we are anticipating them to be at their best, particularly because they’ve got nothing to fear, which always liberates a team. They don’t have to worry about failing, it’s winner-takes-all for them and that makes them more dangerous.”
OPTA STATS
– Ireland are unbeaten at home in the Six Nations in 10 games (won eight, drawn two), their last such defeat coming in 2013 when England visited.
– England have won just twice in eight visits to Dublin in the Six Nations (since 2000), the first victory came in their 2003 Grand Slam and the other a decade later.
– No player has made as many carries in the tournament this year as Ireland’s CJ Stander (84), while England’s Joe Launchbury (67/70) tops the tackle charts after four rounds.
– England are aiming to become the first side in the Six Nations (since 2000) to complete consecutive Grand Slams and the first in the Five/Six Nations since France in 1997 and 1998.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments