Stuart Lancaster expects nervous Six Nations afternoon in Dublin
Sunday 1 March 2015 15:58, UK
Stuart Lancaster says England's Cardiff heroics provide the blueprint for their assault on Ireland in Sunday's Six Nations title showdown at the Aviva Stadium.
The biggest match of the 2015 Championship awaits in Dublin, where the only remaining unbeaten teams will stand toe to toe knowing the victors will have clear sight of the title and a potential Grand Slam.
Ireland's record under Joe Schmidt is formidable, encompassing nine straight wins dating back to last season's 13-10 loss at Twickenham and seven consecutive victories on home soil, with Australia and South Africa among their victims.
They start as marginal match favourites but England, who have recalled wing Jack Nowell and full-back Alex Goode, will draw on their victory at the Millennium Stadium for inspiration.
Wales were faced down 21-16 amid a hostile atmosphere in a performance that has sent confidence levels soaring.
"Dublin is similar to Cardiff. History tells you it's a very difficult place to go and win," England head coach Lancaster said.
"Sometimes when you're playing against Irish teams you feel like you're playing against 16 or 17 because of the energy that they bring.
"People like Paul O'Connell, who's an inspirational leader and captain, will be at his best. It will be as difficult a game as we've had in a long time.
"It would be nice to repeat what we did in Cardiff, especially the second half. One of the keys to that night was that we had a strong sense of belief we could win there, but the players still needed to deliver and they did that.
"We need to have the same sense of belief, which we do, going into Sunday, but ultimately it will come down to the 80 minutes.
"Belief has to be built on some sort of foundation and the foundations laid in the last two weeks with wins against Wales and Italy have been excellent.
"That's why it's such a fascinating game because Ireland have been in the same position. I'd be very surprised if either team weren't ready for this game.
"The margins between the teams will be very small. It will be decided on key moments.
"It could be discipline, a defensive error or a moment of brilliance that decides it, but it will be tight."
One of the key battlegrounds will be the back three's handling of the aerial bombardment expected from British and Irish Lions Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray.
The absence of full-back Mike Brown through concussion is a blow - Goode is his replacement - but the return of Nowell at the expense of the under-performing Jonny May strengthens England's last line of defence.
Right wing Anthony Watson completes the trio who will be patrolling the wide open spaces of Lansdowne Road. Each of them has experience at full-back.
"You've got to make sure you get up in the air and challenge for the ball, but within that there is an art to doing it and you've got to practice it," Lancaster said.
"I can assure you we've done plenty of it in the last two weeks because we know it's coming. But to portray Ireland as a side who always kicks the ball would be wrong.
"Both sides will be kicking the ball - we'll be doing the same to their back three - so it's the same for both teams."
