Ireland v England RBS Six Nations 2013
By Kath
February 8 2013
Well who would have thought that week two of this year's tournament might well decide the Six Nations Champions! Pictures by Patrick Khachfe of www.onsideimages.com
RBS Six Nations 2013 - Week Two
Ireland v England
Sunday 10th February Dublin - kick off 1600
Farrell Waiting - Picture by Patrick Khachfe www.onsideimages.com
England will be in no doubt as to how tough it is going to be in Dublin this weekend. The Irish like to 'party' but they will be going all out to spoil England's hope of a winning party.
And who would have thought that Italy would be steadfast and play the full 80mins overthrowing France and with some style to boot. If this weekend's matches are anything like last weekend, we are all in for a huge treat.
Retaining his place is Billy Twelvetrees at centre, although Manu Tuilagi's return to fitness. James Haskell is included at blindside flanker, with Tom Wood moving across to No 8 in place of the injured Ben Morgan, this is the only change from the starting line-up against Scotland at Twickenham Stadium last Saturday
England really have to win against Ireland to enforce the belief in winning, winning agains wherever they may play and whoever is in front of them. The winning mantra has to be embedded in the psyche, game by game.
I would hope England worked on the gaps they gave Scotland last week and also worked on bringing the man down in the tackle, not just bumping off them.
Ireland have been hit by injuries after last weekend so they may be a bit work weary however, you know what they say beware an injured player as they can unleash such spirit in injury to win on the day. Ireland have gone with a unchanged side.
So a mouth watering prospect is before us all and the match of the weekend is definitely Ireland v England.
Who will be dancing a 'jig' on Sunday evening I wonder?
I do hope it is England............
Ireland: R Kearney; C Gilroy, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; M McCarthy, D Ryan; P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, D Kilcoyne, D Fitzpatrick, D O'Callaghan, C Henry, E Reddan, R O'Gara, K Earls.
England: Goode; Ashton, Barritt, Twelvetrees, Brown; Farrell, B Youngs; Marler, T Youngs, Cole, Launchbury, Parling, Haskell, Robshaw, Wood.
Replacements: Tuilagi, Flood, Care, M Vunipola, Hartley, Wilson, Lawes, Waldrom.
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Ben Youngs is heading for Dublin with England
WE'RE OFF to Dublin in the company of Ben Youngs, Mike Catt and Joe Marler with this week's RFU Podcast as England set out to build on their 38-18 win against Scotland in the opening round of RBS 6 Nations matches.
All three speak about the challenges ahead, the positives for an England side moving in the right direction - to say nothing of questions about front-row facial hair - while Conor Murray gives us the Irish perspective
We also catch up with England's Women to speak to anotehr new star centre in the shape of Abi Chamberlain, scorer of two tries on debut in a 76-0 victory.
It was a perfect weekend for both England Sevens teams - the women winning in Houston and the Ben Ryan's men taking the Wellington title in sudden death extra-time. We intercepted Ryan, winning try-scorer Sam Edgerley and captain Rob Vickerman on the pitch in the Cake Tin.
Finally we are in the England Under 20 camp, speaking to front row forward Luke Cowan-Dickie, a try-scorer in their victory over Scotland in Plymouth.
For the full interviews, check out today's RFU Podcast. Here you can listen to the weekly podcast or subscribe to itunes and have it delivered straight to your inbox each week.
The RFU Podcast takes you inside English rugby from the grassroots to the elite. Click here to listen[center][/center]
Replacements: S Cronin, D Kilcoyne, D Fitzpatrick, D O'Callaghan, C Henry, E Reddan, R O'Gara, K Earls.