O’Sullivan confident of piling more pressure on Robinson

YOU couldn’t but compare the contrasting situations in which the rival coaches for Saturday’s Six Nations match at Twickenham found themselves at lunch time yesterday.

A composed Eddie O’Sullivan admitted it took a matter of minutes before choosing an unchanged side, while Andy Robinson had some sleepless nights before announcing seven changes after the horror of Paris.

It all suggests that everything is slotting nicely into place for Ireland although, as always, O’Sullivan and his captain Brian O’Driscoll played down the level of expectations. That was an extremely difficult task given the drastic measures taken by the English. Whether it is born of the victory at Twickenham two years ago; the success at Lansdowne Road last season or their impressive campaign in 2006, there seems to be a new found confidence in the Irish camp that has enabled O’Sullivan to speak positively about the possible outcome on Saturday. However, he is far too cute the fall into the very obvious trap being set by some British colleagues concerning their supposed role as favourites.