If ever the stage was set for the mother of all finales, then this is it

THE biggest game in the history of Irish rugby and the best team in the world — just two of the cliches we have been hearing all week in the build-up to tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations Championship decider at Lansdowne Road.

At this stage, both are just a little trite, although they contain a great deal of substance. After all, Ireland haven't enjoyed a clean sweep in the Championship for 55 years and England have beaten Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France as well as anybody that possibly matters in the past few months.

If ever the stage was set for the mother of all finales, then this is it. England's ranking as the world's number one side and their recent record suggests that Ireland should have no chance of depriving them of the grand slam for the second time in three years. But that would be to overlook Ireland's own splendid achievement in winning each of their last 10 matches, a run that also included a victory over the world champions.