Woodward warns of Irish ambush for grand slam chasing England

It was the first time in the championship that England had led at the break and emphatically erased coach Eddie Jones’ concerns about their slow starts. By that point, England could be world record holders, and desperate to prove themselves worthy of such when they take on the best side in the world.

If England are to equal a record and crack on for the Grandest glory, the collective must come through.

“But they seem to be doing that now under Eddie, and it’s no surprise that they’re putting a run together that’s pretty impressive”.

British rugby writer Stephen Jones has fired a dig at the All Blacks in the wake of England equalling the world record for consecutive Test wins by a tier one nation.

Not when his team can be the first to claim back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations era and the first to 19 successive Test wins with victory over Ireland.

Woodward, who coached England to their only World Cup success in 2003, marvelled at the current outfit. Indeed, they have only won on this ground four times in their 108 years and have not won the Calcutta Cup since 2008.

“It looks like that is what has happened and it is great for rugby”.

Nathan Hughes continues at number eight but the bulldozing Vunipola, England’s most destructive ball carrier, is expected to make an appearance as a second-half replacement. They have got more world-class players and more intelligent players. Only two players have played more games for any country and maintained a 100 per cent win rate – New Zealand duo Charles Piutau (17) and Corey Flynn (15). And given the hurdles they have cleared so far under Jones, Joseph says his side have nothing to fear travelling to the Irish capital. Vern Cotter’s side have thrived from deep counter-attacking, with Hogg in particular underlining his Lions credentials with some stunning displays against both Ireland and Wales.

Ireland have nothing to play for having suffered their second loss of the tournament to Wales on Friday night, but that is precisely why Jones believes that Joe Schmidt’s men will have the psychological advantage ahead of kick-off. I think they are generating a lot of respect and trust with each other that they can deliver under pressure. That allows Ford to just concentrate on his game.

With the conclusion of the Six Nations next week, all attentions will turn to the British and Irish Lions’ tour to Hansen’s New Zealand this summer, and Hansen expects a hard series.

“He came into the dressing room before the game and said “Boys, rid me of this burden of these years we haven’t won down here – let’s get rid of it” and I haven’t forgotten that”.