This is the perfect time to face Ireland and England can win in Dublin - Andy Goode
Ireland are heavy favourites with the bookies but I’ve just got a feeling England will go to Dublin and sneak a win this weekend.
Losing in their own back yard in the final round of last year’s Six Nations and watching this group of Ireland players celebrate winning a Grand Slam, after England had their own Grand Slam party ruined by the Irish a year earlier, will have really hurt some of these senior players and they have a point to prove.
It’s a bold call to predict an England victory, given Ireland are yet to lose at home in the Six Nations under Joe Schmidt, but I just think there is enough evidence to suggest that the scales could be slightly tipped in England’s favour.
I like the look of the team Eddie Jones has selected and it’s great to see that he’s stuck with his leading man in Owen Farrell in his proper position and selected the best two centres available outside him.
We’re still highly likely to see George Ford and Farrell on the pitch together at some point but it would have been a backward step to revert to that axis. It’s also great to see Manu Tuilagi back and starting in the Six Nations for the first time for six years.
He’s strung together a lot of games for Leicester now injury-free and, while international rugby and a trip to Dublin is a massive step up, he’s the kind of box office player who can make any stadium rock and England will be hoping he’s finally ready to take that next step on Saturday.
I’m surprised Jones didn’t go back to Mike Brown at full back just for this game because of his ability to deal with the aerial bombardment that is sure to come England’s way and it’ll sound strange to a lot of people because of his form in attack in an England shirt but I wouldn’t have picked Jonny May.
He’s got phenomenal speed and athleticism but has been found wanting positionally of late, especially for Leicester against Ulster, and the likes of Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will be ready to pounce on any little area of weakness.
Ireland have their own issue in the back three and, whilst Jordan Larmour would have been the automatic selection at full back in Rob Kearney’s absence, I think Schmidt has opted to get what he sees as his best players on the field.
Picking Robbie Henshaw at full back for the first time since his debut in 2013 allows him to get both Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose in the team as well at centre and Henshaw is such a talented player that I don’t think it’ll affect them too much.
Having both Mako and Billy Vunipola in the team makes such a difference to England and if they can make the most of their power, combined with Tuilagi’s ball-carrying as well, it could give England an edge.
Mako and Kyle Sinckler offer a lot in the loose but there’s no doubt they’ll be targeted at scrum time because that has been far from an area of strength for both of them in the past. Both have been guilty of conceding penalties at the set piece and that’s something England can ill afford to do at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland beat the All Blacks there and conceded just five penalties in the process and discipline has been one of the hallmarks of their recent success, whereas England were the most ill-disciplined team in last year’s Six Nations.
Having said that, though, with Jerome Garces in charge it’s difficult to predict how things will pan out because the breakdown will be a hugely pivotal area and there won’t be as much communication as the players on both sides are used to.
You can argue the case for both teams and clearly Ireland are favourites because they’re at home and are on a phenomenal run of form at present but I just think it’s the perfect time to play them.
They generally improve significantly as the Six Nations goes on and last year was a case in point as they needed a monster drop goal from Johnny Sexton with the last kick of the match to beat France in Round 1, so I just think England could take advantage of any slow start they might have.
John Mitchell added a bit of spice earlier in the week by saying that Ireland would try to “bore the s**t” out of England and, while that is a dig at their style of play, I don’t think it was premeditated and it isn’t anything that hasn’t been directed at Ireland before by other people.
There’s no way it’ll have any effect on how Ireland approach the game and at the end of the day… do you want to support a team that plays pragmatically and wins a Grand Slam or one that tries to play amazing rugby from everywhere and loses?
There’s a World Cup at the end of this year and I can’t remember too many teams winning World Cup finals playing really extravagant rugby. They are normally dogged affairs that are won by teams that are pragmatic and manage the situation better than the opposition.
Ireland have proven to be masters at that over the course of the past year or so and Joe Schmidt has been head and shoulders above his rivals in that respect as well.
It’s not too long ago that Eddie Jones was outcoaching everyone left, right and centre when England were on their way to a world record-equalling 18 wins in a row but that hasn’t been the case for the past 18 months.
We know Schmidt goes to the nth degree with his preparation and will have a few things up his sleeve but let’s hope Eddie’s had a good Christmas, got his mojo back and come up with a few fresh ideas of his own. If he has, I reckon England can get back on the Six Nations horse on Saturday and start this World Cup year with a bang.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments