Set your mind back to this time last year. England's Six Nations 2004 campaign had been going smoothly. Having beaten both Scotland and Italy comfortably in earlier weeks, the scene had been set for the Ireland game at Twickenham, and the expectations were hardly complicated. Everyone expected England to win, just as they had done the year before at Landsdowne Road. After all, England had been crowned World Champions just a few months back. The fact that the game was being played at Twickenham was even better; it had been a very long time since the England team were defeated at home, let alone by Ireland. Unfortunately, expectations were soon thrown out the window, as against all odds, the Irish team won. And so began a new age for England, one that saw a more defeats for them than there should have been.

It’s that time of year again, England face Ireland, this time at Landsdowne Road on Sunday 27th February. The France game two weekends ago was the final nail in the coffin for England’s 2005 campaign. Having lost twice, there was no way for Andy Robinson’s men to come out of this competition as winners (unless extremely unlikely match results occur over the coming weeks, for example France being beaten by Italy among others). The game on Sunday is a must-win for England, not only for league table positions, but to avoid becoming the laughing stock of the rugby world; after all, 3 consecutive losses is starting to get a bit ridiculous for a team that was ranked number 1 only a year ago.

England supporters can garner some hope at the fact that of the last 3 games, the team has only lost by a total of 5 points: 2 against Australia in the final match of the last Autumn Internationals, 2 against Wales three weekends ago, and 1 against France in the last game; certainly not enough to never wear an England shirt again but then also not enough to start dancing up and down.

Little has changed since the last game in terms of Andy Robinson’s team selection. The tighthead prop position has been forced once again to change. Julian White, arguably England’s best scrummager at the moment, injured his neck while playing against Wales a few weeks ago, giving Phil Vickery the position for the France game, but in another cruel twist, Vickery himself broke his arm while playing for Gloucester, thereby ruling him out of the rest of the competition. Matt Stevens has been called up to take his place and gains his first international start, as he was “impressive in training”. The Ireland game is perhaps not the easiest of games to start on but good luck to him.

Two of the more controversial selections are Steve Thompson and Charlie Hodgson, who have both remained in the starting XV, against fierce media and in some cases, public criticism. Sale Sharks fans will scream for Andy Titterrell to be the number 1 hooker of choice, yet Northampton supporters will swear by their captain’s lineout throws, stating the fact that very few lineouts were actually lost in the France game. Another contender could even be George Chuter; however the Leicester hooker hasn’t made it into the team this week. It’s becoming more and more apparent however that judgement day could soon be approaching for Thompson, and if he wants to continue to be first choice hooker, his throwing has got to be brought under control. What is certain however is that the lineouts will be fiercely contested, with Irish players such as O’Kelly and O’Connell waiting to steal the ball.

The fact that Hodgson is still in the starting XV comes as no surprise, and Olly Barkley makes a welcome return at 12 eliminating worries over his calf injury. After receiving an England call up last week, Andy Goode, the Zurich Premiership’s top points scorer, has found a place on the bench. If Charlie’s kicking does in fact go out the window again for the Ireland game, the Leicester player may be brought on in time to hopefully save the day. Whether that will actually happen though, is another question. Andy Robinson was wise not to make him the choice fly half for the game though. Being a top goal kicker at club level is very different to being one at the international level, especially considering the opposition on Sunday.

Jason Robinson has been once again put at fullback, much to the annoyance of a lot of people who would much rather see him on the wing where he’s most dangerous. Given his recent fall from grace, a change in his position may be necessary. Josh Lewsey would surely make a much more effective fullback. Robinson’s captaincy will surely be under question after this year’s Six Nations and a lot of people will be calling for players such as Martin Corry to take charge, who surprisingly enough, isn’t at the very back (no need to charge down the pitch to say something to the rest of the team then).

Harry Ellis has been given the scrumhalf position again, indicating that Andy Robinson was relatively pleased with his performance two weeks ago, and for the most part, with good reason. Let’s just hope the ball won’t be travelling out of his hands at slug’s pace again. Matt Dawson makes a return to the bench as a replacement and a bit of experience if needed.

Ben Cohen has also been removed from the team as his play continues to deteriorate with every game. One wonders whether the bizarre decision to have him come on in the dying minutes against France was his last chance to show the same sort of skill that he had shown two years ago. Paul and Sheridan are no longer in the 22 either; the latter due to a slight injury he sustained over the weekend. Speaking of Sheridan and strange substitutions, it was a shock not to see the prop come off the bench for the 5 metre scrum against France. At a time when the front row would have been near exhaustion, Andy Robinson instead decided to leave out the any reserve front row players, especially the 19.7 stone prop. Is he trying to get thrown out of the coaching position? With decisions like that, one has to wonder.

Over at the Ireland camp, the team selection is almost identical to the one that defeated Scotland (albeit unconvincingly; in the first half at least) 40-13 in their last game. The name O’Driscoll will send shivers down many of the England players, as he returns to form after a hamstring injury he suffered during the Italy game. Gordon D’Arcy on the other hand has not been so fortunate in recovering and will miss the England clash on Sunday.

O’Driscoll will take his familiar position of outside centre, with Leinster’s Shane Horgan partnering him, in place of the benched Kevin Maggs.

Ronan O'Gara will be receiving his 50th cap and will lead Ireland out against the World Champions on Sunday. The Munster fly-half will soon break his 500 point Test barrier (with only nine points needed). His record speaks for himself: 7 tries, 89 penalty goals, 7 drop goals, and 84 conversions since his debut in 2000.

Having lost eight out of their last 11 tests, it’s no surprise that Andy Robinson (as well as the rest of the England supporters) have called the Ireland clash “a must-win game”. After the losses against both Wales and France, damage control may be needed to avoid making England 4th (or worse) in the Six Nations league table, whereas Ireland enter the game as easy favourites, both for the match and the competition as a whole. It’s up to England to see whether they can shake things up a bit, as, just like in the World Cup Final 2003, the world is watching.



ENGLAND

15: Robinson – 14: Cueto – 13: Noon – 12: Barkley – 11: Lewsey – 10: Hodgson – 9: Ellis – 1: Rowntree – 2: Thompson – 3: Stevens – 4: Grewcock – 5: Kay – 6: Worsley – 7: Moody – 8: Corry.

Replacements:
16: Titterrell – 17: Bell – 18: Borthwick – 19: Hazell – 20: Dawson – 21: Goode – 22: Smith.



IRELAND

15: Murphy – 14: Dempsey – 13: O’Driscoll – 12: Horgan – 11: Hickie – 10: O’Gara – 9: Stringer – 1: Corrigan – 2: Byrne – 3: Hayes – 4: O’Kelly – 5: O’Connell – 6: S. Easterby – 7: O’Connor – 8: Foley.

Replacements:
16: Sheahan – 17: Horan – 18: O’Callaghan – 19: Miller – 20: G. Easterby – 21: Humphreys – 22: Maggs.

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