Ireland must target Farrell and Dickson
Ireland have turned what proved to be a weakness in the opening game against Wales (as it had been against the same opposition at the World Cup) into a strength in their last three outings. Lacking urgency, line speed and decisiveness in that opening defeat with 14 missed tackles, Ireland regrouped and switched from employing a lateral drift defence to an aggressive umbrella formation, with instant results. With a total of only three tries conceded since, this Irish side is in a far better frame of mind to cope with the attacking prowess of an England side that has been bolstered by the return of Manu Tuilagi to midfield after missing the opening two games against Scotland and Italy. He offers a serious threat, with an imposing mix of power and pace, and Keith Earls will no doubt need no reminding after being brushed aside by the Leicester colossus in the World Cup warm-up game back in August.
Earls was in the process of reacquainting himself with the demands of the outside centre role at the time, having played the majority of his rugby in the back three throughout the previousseason. He now looks far more comfortable with thedemands of the most challenging defensive position on the field after a continuous run there with Munster and Ireland. The key to dealing with the physical presence Tuilagi offers is to close the space early and tackle low around the ankles. Ireland are far more cohesive now as a unit in defence with improvedlevels of communication and assurance than there wasinitially when denied their long-time defensive coordinator, Brian O’Driscoll.
