#360Fans: Ireland vs England Six Nations preview

Sport360 staff 04:28 01/03/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Star men: Jonny Sexton (L) and George Ford (R).

    Ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations showdown at the Aviva Stadium, Jordan Egan from Belfast Exiles believes this potential Grand Slam deciding encounter will be the game of the tournament.

    “Both teams will be very confident. Ireland have won nine games in a row and are very strong under Joe Schmidt,” Jordan said.

    He’s quick to praise England’s impressive run of form in this campaign to date.

    – Six Nations: Wales keep title hopes alive, Italy strike late for famous win
    – #360Rugby: England and Ireland prepare for Grand Slam eliminator

    “(England’s) midfield has been working well. They’ve won the last four games against Ireland and this will tee up to be the game of the Six Nations.”

    “All eyes will be on Geroge Ford and Jonathan Joseph, both of whom have had outstanding campaigns to date.”

    The only change for Ireland sees Leinster’s Jordi Murphy replace the injured Jamie Heaslip at number 8.

    In order for Ireland to oversee their rivals, Jordan believes they need to stick to their game plan. “Ireland need to stick to what they’ve been doing. A lot of people aren’t happy about their kicking game (at times), but they need to keep doing what’s natural as the results have shown for themselves.

    When predicting the result, Jordan believes it will be tight with Ireland to close out the contest by three points.

    Their opponents England have made two changes to their starting XV. Alex Goode takes over at full-back after Mike Brown was ruled out of the potentially title-clinching game due to a bout of concussion he sustained during the 47-17 rout of Italy a fortnight ago.

    Jack Nowell meanwhile replaces Jonny May on the left wing for his first cap since making his five previous Test appearances during last year's Six Nations. Jim Blythe of Bahrain believes this game is billed to be a thrilling encounter.

     “This is the title decider. Whoever wins the game will win the Six Nations,” says Blythe.

    “England’s strength in depth in the second half is something that Ireland are going to have to combat to win the game.

    “The difference will be England’s ability to play the game for 80 minutes and not get caught short. (The games against) Wales and Italy are perfect examples, they make errors but they have to keep going.”

    Title-holders Ireland start as marginal favourites to halt English momentum and both sides enter the encounter knowing that victory will offer sight of the title with two rounds remaining.

    However, Jim predicts that England will prevail by five points – 20-15 – and the in-form Jonathan Joseph to score the winning try. 

    Recommended