Where do Ireland and England’s strengths and weaknesses lie?
Andy Farrell’s side may currently have the better quality, leadership and tactical cohesion, but England have the mindset.
Ireland are aiming to complete the Grand Slam when they host England in the climax to the Guinness Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
As the world’s number one-ranked side they are expected to sweep aside Steve Borthwick’s men, who collapsed to a record home defeat to France in round four.
While Ireland are playing for glory, England are looking to restore reputations in the wake of their troubling 53-10 rout at Twickenham.
Here, the PA news agency examines the rivals’ strengths and weaknesses.
Player quality
England, meanwhile, would struggle to contribute a single player to a composite Six Nations side such has been the collapse in form that set in during the latter stages of the Eddie Jones era. Ellis Genge has been an indefatigable carrier, while rookies Ollie Chessum and Ollie Lawrence have impressed, but even that trio were steamrollered by the French juggernaut.
Winner: Ireland
Leadership
England’s difficulties have made life hard for Owen Farrell and Genge, the two players placed in charge during this Six Nations, and they are also missing the influence of Courtney Lawes. Borthwick is heavily reliant on this trio, with the likes of club captains Alex Dombrandt and Lewis Ludlam yet to make their presence felt in the leadership stakes.
Winner: Ireland
Tactics
Tactical cohesion is something Ireland have in spades, however. The green machine is relentlessly efficient with well-drilled players in full command of their roles. Underpinning much of their success is ruck speed and overall breakdown accuracy which, when combined with their world-leading conditioning, enables them to run opponents off their feet.
Winner: Ireland
Mindset
In normal circumstances, all-conquering Ireland would be expected to show their customary ruthlessness and dispatch the underdogs, but with the scene set for one of the great days in their 148-year history, could the pressure get to them? They are gunning for a fourth Grand Slam but their first to be clinched in Dublin, while the match’s scheduling on St Patrick’s weekend adds to the expectation.
England are an extraordinary 7/1 to upstage the Irish on their big day and with no one giving them a hope, they can take what is being viewed in their camp as a “free swing”. Several of Borthwick’s team are playing for their Test futures, adding to their motivation.
Winner: England
