Kearney has revenge on his mind

PARK all that talk about Grand Slams, forget about the corresponding fixture two years ago. All Rob Kearney cares about this week is making amends for Ireland’s hefty defeat in Twickenham last season.

It seems a lifetime ago now given recent results at provincial and international level but that 33-10 defeat in London still rankles.

Not only did it bar Ireland from the championship’s top three for the first time since the Five Nations became Six but it marked a first reversal to their oldest rivals since Clive Woodward masterminded the 2003 World Cup success. And it signalled the final staging post in Eddie O’Sullivan’s seven-year administration.