As if Robinson’s exclusion wasn’t bad enough, England fans await news on whether or not Jonny Wilkinson will play. Losing Wilkinson as well as Robinson would be a huge blow to England, given the pair have accounted for all but five of the 62 points they have scored in the Championship to date. But reports have emerged that the Newcastle Falcons fly-half was practising his goal-kicking at Croke Park on Friday morning, and is likely to play providing there is no reaction overnight. Eddie O’Sullivan meanwhile has accused England of playing mind games when it came to Jonny Wilkinson’s fitness, calling the reports of his possible exclusion ‘nonsense’. After all of O’Sullivan’s comments it would be hard not to smile if Jonny where indeed forced to miss the game.

If he is ruled out, Flood will take the fly half slot with Mike Catt on the bench. Where this the case then it would mean England facing their toughest test of the tournament with four backs - Flood, Strettle, centre Andy Farrell and full-back Olly Morgan - who have just seven caps between them.

Ashton added: "These things happen at all levels of rugby - players do get injured during the week - and fortunately, we've got a squad to compensate for that. David Strettle is a lad on form, who is scoring tries. He has got pace, good feet and is a tremendous finisher.”

Apart from Strettle and possibly Flood, the team remains identical to that which took to the field against Scotland in the first round. Freshwater, Chuter and captain Phil Vickery make up the front row with Grewcock and Deacon in the second row. The latter pairing will be looking to dominate the Irish lineout, especially given Paul O’Connell’s recent dip in form. Joe Worsley is back and takes the place of debutant Nick Easter.

Meanwhile Ireland were able to train with their best 15 when experienced scrum half Peter Stringer proved his fitness after a broken finger.
Stringer's confrontation with Harry Ellis at the base of the scrum is a key contest.

Ellis said: "We are pleased we have won our first two games, but we still need to progress and improve. I have played against Peter Stringer a number of times, and I am sure it will be a good competition between us."

You won’t find many fans that disagree with the argument that continuity is in England’s best interests, just eight games prior to the World Cup. Baring injuries to the likes of Matt Stevens and Dan Ward Smith you can’t help but feel the first choice team that will play in the World Cup will (and should) look very similar to this one.

England’s forwards underperformed against Italy two weeks ago so will be looking to step up their game considerably, especially if they intend on dominating their Irish counterparts. Any neutral will tell you that the Irish scrum isn’t much to write home about and this will be a key battle for England.

Two wins out of two so far is a good start for England but they must do better if they stand any chance of doing well this championship. The toughest test is to come.

Ireland: Dempsey; Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt), D'Arcy, Hickie; O'Gara, Stringer; Horan, R Best, Hayes, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, S Easterby, D Wallace, Leamy.
Replacements: Flannery, S Best, N Best, M O'Driscoll, Boss, P Wallace, Trimble.

England: Morgan; Lewsey, Tindall, Farrell, Strettle; Wilkinson, Ellis; Freshwater, Chuter, Vickery (capt), Deacon, Grewcock, Worsley, Lund, Corry.
Replacements: Mears, White, Palmer, Rees, Perry, Flood, Tait.

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