Grand Slam showdown 'ideal test for England'

CLIVE WOODWARD has called on England's Grand Slam-chasing players to prove they are equally formidable away from fortress Twickenham when they face Ireland in Sunday's Dublin decider.

The England coach is "excited" by the prospect, which he believes is the ideal test to gauge England's progress in the build-up to the World Cup in Australia later in the year.

"I'm excited, not nervous," said Woodward. "I'm looking forward to the week.