Expect a daunting atmosphere, Flutey warns Ireland

WALK into any pub and mention the atmosphere at the finest rugby stadiums around the globe and you will hear the hushed, reverential tones of someone describing how a moving sea of 82,000 Ireland fans at Croke Park can sow the seeds of doubt in opposition minds.

But if there is a stadium in the northern hemisphere that comes close to reproducing the sight, sound and adrenalin rush of Croker on match-day, it is surely the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where Declan Kidney’s side will have to win tomorrow if they are to claim their first Grand Slam since 1948.

But one of the unmentioned facets of any match-day — one that begins to get the heart pumping — is the coach ride into the stadium, and Riki Flutey, the England centre, has given Ireland a stark warning of what to expect as they ready themselves for a match that is seemingly too close to call.

“It’s daunting going into a place like that,” says Flutey when the centre is asked to explain what it’s like tackling the Cardiff crowds before you even get into the Welsh stronghold, as England did last month before losing 23-15.

“You’re sitting there going through the crowds and you have thousands upon thousands of people standing there giving you the finger as you go past. Having said that, it was absolutely fantastic. Luckily, our bus was tinted out so they couldn’t see us, but everyone was giving us so much stick.

“People do use that sort of stuff to motivate them. I was just laughing about it really, but it will be even bigger for the Irish game.”

However Flutey steadfastly refuses to put his neck on the line when asked who he think will cope better with an atmosphere that has proved too much for numerous sides since the Welsh moved over the road from the Cardiff Arms Park in 1999.

“It will certainly be a huge occasion for Ireland as they haven’t won the Six Nations in quite some time,” says New Zealand-born Flutey, who will be on duty in the England midfield at Twickenham against Scotland before watching events unfold in Cardiff.

“It will be a cracker of a game. Both teams will be right up for the challenge and it should be fantastic to watch — but I couldn’t even begin to guess which way it’s going to go.”