Encounter will be no bed of red roses

THERE’S something about the English arriving at Lansdowne Road that stirs the passion. With the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, this is likely to be their last game in this stadium, as we know it.

In two years' time, their visit may generate an even more passionate atmosphere, given the possibility it could be played in Croke Park. We await the upcoming GAA Congress with great interest.

Of more immediate concern is the challenge facing Ireland on Sunday. It is a long time since the Irish faced an English side as such overwhelming favourites. While we have enjoyed little success over England in recent years, last season's triumph in Twickenham was all the more memorable, given their status as world champions.

This weekend is pivotal in the Six Nations championship. By Sunday evening, either France or Wales will be eliminated from the race for a potential Grand Slam. For Ireland, Triple Crown, championship and Grand Slam aspirations could disappear as a result of defeat to Andy Robinson's men.

The reaction to England's opening two defeats has created adverse comments across the water. This English side travels to Dublin with a cloud hanging over it.

Their demoralising loss to France, given that they were the better side, has the potential to damage the character of this team. The indiscipline displayed by Lewis Moody and Graham Rowntree at times in the second-half cost them dearly.

That, coupled with the inability to convert their penalty opportunities.

Charlie Hodgson's kicking ratio in the championship stands at 58%. This is way below the average for international kickers. Given Jonny Wilkinson's average of 85% over the past few years in this tournament, it has become a serious issue for Robinson.

Ireland, on the other hand, are in the enviable position of enjoying two successive away victories without reaching their full potential. The injuries to the midfield necessitated a change to a more forward orientated game against Scotland. It worked.

However, Eddie O'Sullivan and Niall O'Donovan will appreciate the forward unit is unlikely to enjoy the same level of dominance as Murrayfield. That said, the key to this win remains with the line-out and the maul. With Julian White out injured, England have been robbed of a destructive scrum force at tight head.

When Robinson learned of a further injury to his replacement Phil Vickery last Saturday, he must have despaired. In opting for Matt Stevens ahead of his Bath colleague Duncan Bell, the England coach has gone for experience, but the injuries have negated scrummage advantage to the visitors.

Ireland has the measure of the English behind the scrum. England's back line, even when their playmakers were available, never recaptured the flair they had when Brian Ashton was in charge of their attacking game.

The introduction of former rugby league great Joe Lydon has yet to produce the desired results. That said, he is struggling without many first choice players.

In Twickenham last year, the line-out decided the game.

Malcolm O'Kelly and Paul O'Connell reigned supreme, even on England's throw. Excellent hooker though he is, Steve Thompson was reduced to a quivering mess as a result of the pressure applied from the Irish second row.

England's management did him no service by leaving him on the field after half-time. In many respects, Thompson has never recovered. This has led to an outcry in England for the introduction of Leicester hooker George Chuter. Only two weeks ago, Thompson was the overwhelming favourite for the Lions No 2 jersey.

The other reason why the line-out is so important to Ireland is that, more times than not, it is the initiation point for the driving maul. Against Italy, Ireland, in an effort to produce quick ball, gave most of their line-out ball off the top.

By failing to catch and drive, they allowed Italy into the game. While Robinson will have prepared his charges to stop Ireland gaining any momentum in this area, once the initial drive has started it is difficult to negate within the rules of the game.

While Ireland are sure to play with more width than in Edinburgh, the sight of an England pack back-pedalling is sure to incite the necessary response from the crowd.

Nothing lifts a team more.

Speaking of the crowd, it will be interesting to see how many English will manage to obtain tickets. Such is the perilous state of club rugby in this country that the majority of clubs have been forced to sell their ticket allocation for this game in an effort to balance the books.

While you can understand the necessity, one hopes that it doesn't negate the support that this team deserves from the stands.

On Saturday in Stade de France, we will be afforded the opportunity of seeing just how good Wales are or how bad France are.

Wales have negotiated back-to-back victories in this tournament for the first time in 11 years. To date, they have enjoyed a deserved victory over England and a far more convincing win over Italy than Ireland managed.

If there are concerns about this side, they remain up front. Their scrum has improved significantly since the appointment of Mike Ruddock. At loose head, Gethin Jenkins, who may not have started but for injury to Duncan Jones, has looked highly impressive.

For the Welsh to have a chance of victory, they must meet the challenge the French invariably pose at scrum time. If Wales do have an Achilles heel, it's their line-out. While Robert Sidoli and Brent Cockbain work hard, neither is a dominant force.

Behind the scrum, Wales have impressed. While Gavin Henson was impressive with everything he did against England, he was a more muted in Rome.

He strikes me as a type of player who needs a big challenge. He will certainly get that on Saturday, particularly with Damien Traille and Yannick Jauzion reunited as the midfield pairing. This is the game for Henson to stamp his Championship and Lions credentials.

Even if Wales are beaten on Saturday, they still have plenty to play for as only Scotland stand between them and a tilt at the Triple Crown against Ireland on the last day of the tournament.

Whether Ireland will be doing likewise depends on the English.

Here's hoping.