When the shamrock meets the rose something has to give

IN his playing days Jeremy Guscott was the suave, side-stepping English centre of excellence. And time hasn’t eroded his ability to dodge the oncoming hit.

"I never said that this championship would be a two-horse race," he protests. "I always reckoned that Ireland would be there, or thereabouts."

Guscott denies he fell into the same trap as those who bemoaned the Six Nations organisers for scheduling the "Championship decider" between England and France on the opening weekend of the campaign.

"I wasn't one of those who ever believed that the Six Nations tournament would be decided on the first day.

"I have been through a lot with England and have learned not to take anything for granted. It is a unique competition and a very difficult one to win. There are always surprises and France have found out that one great season doesn't necessarily lead into another great season.

"England have failed to clinch the title on four occasions in the recent past and they will know that a visit to Lansdowne Road, even if it were against a moderate Irish team, would cause its own share of problems.

"History has shown that if a game goes down as a final - which this is - there are no sure things. These kind of matches are generally not the showpieces we all anticipate and expect. I think the atmosphere and the occasion will be enormous."

Guscott has been taken by the change in attitude amongst Irish fans over the last couple of years: "I was in Dublin for the Irish game against France. There was a time when the supporters would have expressed themselves happy with a good performance, even if defeat followed.

"I don't think that attitude exists any more. Irish teams have done very well in Europe and the national side have taken a good few scalps this season.

"Two years ago, England didn't play badly. They weren't allowed to play better by a highly motivated Irish side, an Irish side that was just manic in the way they played the game.

Guscott agrees with Eddie O'Sullivan's selection of the Irish team and accepted that David Humphreys was the right choice for out half. "As a former centre who likes to run I would, however, prefer to play with Ronan O'Gara.

I think O'Driscoll flourishes better alongside O'Gara and that's the romantic in me talking - but the selection at this stage had to go with Humphreys on the basis of what happened this season."

He added: "I think the one big moment in this game could take place early on. Ireland will win ball, probably from a line out. They will send Kevin Maggs crashing down the middle of the pitch at Wilkinson. The first guy to take a backward step there will give a likely indication as to who will come out on top.

"That's granite against granite and something might have to give. Ultimately, this game is more likely to be won on nerves than anything, but that first crash could set the scene for anything that happens afterwards."