England’s players have been warned that significant improvement will be required if Ireland are to be beaten in the potential Six Nations title decider on Sunday 1 March. Stuart Lancaster’s side have won their last four Tests and scored six tries in their 47-17 victory over Italy but are keenly aware the Irish, also winners of their two opening games, will pose a sterner test.
The Irish have lost their last three Six Nations meetings with England and managed only two tries in their matches against Italy and France but Lancaster admits the trip to Dublin will shape his team’s campaign.
“We’ve got two other big games but there is no doubt the game in Dublin has huge significance in relation to the championship,” said Lancaster. “We’ve won there before but we know just how good a side they are.”
As a result the management will be stressing that England’s defence needs tightening up. Lancaster felt his team were “soft on the edges” against Italy and also wants them to make a faster start to games. “It is a mentality thing and we were just a little bit slow out of the blocks,” said Lancaster. “There is definitely plenty to work on going into the Ireland game.”
The England captain, Chris Robshaw, is also wary of the Irish, who beat France 18-11 on Saturday. “They have an extremely smart coach in Joe Schmidt, who generally finds weaknesses somewhere. It’s about making sure we’re clued up… because we need to try and find their weaknesses as well.”
Mike Brown’s availability will depend on how the full-back feels after sitting out training this week following his head injury against Italy. Brown was knocked out in a first-half collision with Andrea Masi and will now undergo the required concussion protocols. “He won’t play any part in training but there is no pressure as there is no game this week,” said Lancaster. “He seemed all right… he was just moaning about having to come off.”
Should Brown be ruled out, Lancaster indicated that Saracens’ Alex Goode would replace him rather than Anthony Watson being asked to switch to full-back from the wing. Goode had a fine game for Saracens against Bath on Sunday while Exeter’s Jack Nowell is also pushing hard for inclusion in the match-day squad. “We very much see Anthony as a winger in this team,” confirmed Lancaster. “Jack Nowell is the other back-three option we are going to consider. They kick a lot, so our back three will be critical in Dublin.”
England have not won a Six Nations grand slam since 2003 and have managed only one title over the same period. They have finished second in each of the last three seasons but Lancaster is hoping their away win in Cardiff will give them the necessary self-belief in the Aviva Stadium. “The confidence we have gained down the years winning away in the Six Nations has been huge for us,” emphasised the head coach.
