A battle against our greatest rivals deserves more than a lukewarm build up

Ireland face their English rivals with an impressive history of beating them, and they need to find the motivation to do so again.

By Conor Ward

If there’s going to be a fever pitch level of anticipation for this game, then it certainly hasn’t given any hint of its arrival as of yet. The build-up, in terms of the public at least, could not sincerely be described as anything greater than lukewarm – and that’s a pity considering we’re facing our greatest rivals, it’s the last game of the tournament and it’s Paddy’s week.

Though he was originally from Wales apparently, Saint Patrick did a handy turn of driving snakes out of Ireland, a feat which has seen him honoured with patron saint status, an annual day away from the grindstone, a mega marketing opportunity for all things green and a de facto booze extravaganza.

And while this team will always be remembered in similarly fond though appropriately less hyperbolic terms, it will be for their capture of the country’s first Grand Slam in several centuries rather than anything they manage to pull off in this game.

The motivation of ruining England’s own Grand Slam aspirations remains, however. One recalls fondly when we did it in 2001, leaving poor ol’ Martin Johnson looking a rather embarrassed figure as he collected the callow prize of a Six Nations trophy in bizarrely flat circumstances – that was a pretty good day for us!

But let’s face it, already being an also-ran in the competition with the pursuit of glory lying fully within the remit of the opposition is hardly where we want to be. Even if the Triple Crown was still up for grabs, it would give things a lot more spice, despite the fact that it’s lost its currency – this team has attained such a high level of achievement over the last ten years that people started to look upon it as yesterday’s news and a paltry consolation.

The frustrating thing about this campaign, now that we have almost a full picture of it, is that it’s really been an eminently winnable championship, remarkably similar to 2009 in that regard. We’ve played in fits and starts, England have been strong and occasionally spectacular, Wales have been a predictable enough mixed bag, Italy terrific in their application, France pretty disastrous, and Scotland have been Scotland.

Conviction

For several reasons, our lads have just never grabbed hold of things with any surety or conviction which could instil the confidence that they were masters of their own destiny. The pattern has been repeating itself for several games on the bounce now – starting brightly, with flair, panache and cutting edge and taking an early lead, only to then concede the initiative and end up losing two tight games in painful fashion.

There’s not much point in harking on any more about the ridiculous try that denied us in Cardiff last week. Yes, we wuz robbed, but if you don’t put a single point on the board in an entire second-half of rugby football, you have left yourself very much in the lap of the Gods where even that man Saint Patrick can’t help you.

The confidence has been lacking for some reason, something which actually should have been aided by a steadily improving set-piece. Much of the concerns about the scrum and lineout were allayed last week. Even the dreaded penalty-count issue (which has been such a big talking point as to become a total bore of a subject) has been sorted out to some extent.

The chopping and changing at out-half has not helped either, especially when it was done at what was probably the worst possible point in the game last week. Declan Kidney has now gone back to the formula which had been working out quite effectively, with Jonny Sexton starting and Ronan O’Gara being deployed off the bench if required. That looks a smart call for the task in hand.

If the current form of the side does not offer much inspiration, our outstanding record against England should.

Luke Fitzgerald has been discarded having failed to really get motoring over several weeks, but while the same could be said for Gordon D’Arcy, he has been trusted again in the centre. Andrew Trimble should give us something different on the wing by way of strong running and physical presence, while Keith Earls has the tough task of filling the full-back berth but the skills set to cope.

If the current form of the side does not offer much inspiration, however, our outstanding record against England should. It’s six wins from the last seven meetings, which scarcely seems believable considering how much bigger a playing pool they have. You never expect anything other than a tight contest, however, though home advantage mitigates against England’s superior performances and winning habit to date.

But if the task here is to be reasonable and as objective as possible, then I have to say England are holding a stronger hand this time out.

They have had greater purpose and direction to their play, and have not had the same problems putting points on the board. With Toby Flood and Ben Youngs pulling the strings behind a solid forward effort, and with so much riding on it for them, I see Engalnd (regrettably) get the job done – which would leave us with much to ponder in a World Cup year.