Stuart Lancaster considers options as England set to miss Mike Brown

Stuart Lancaster’s week started with some bad news.

Mike Brown’s concussion symptoms have not cleared, and although he is working his way through the Graduated Return to Play protocol, he is considered extremely unlikely to be fit to play in Dublin on Sunday.

Assuming Brown does not make it — and considering he is unable to take part in contact training until Friday, that is highly likely — he will be replaced by Alex Goode, a top-class performer for Saracens (and England two years ago) who played a vital part in his side’s destruction of Munster in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

With Jonny May misfiring on the wing, Lancaster may also turn to Jack Nowell, who is fit after knee and shoulder problems, and has been in superb form for Exeter Chiefs.

But above all, what seemed to be exciting the England head coach yesterday was the thought of George Ford testing himself against Johnny Sexton, a fly-half he considers to be “the best on the northern hemisphere”.

And while Irish eyes were trained nervously on Paris as Sexton came through an hour of Racing Metro’s game with Clermont Auvergne unscathed, Lancaster believes that run-out will simply help Ireland’s talisman get back to his very best after 12 weeks on the sidelines with concussion.

“George now has an opportunity to measure himself against the best fly-half in the northern hemisphere,” said Lancaster of a player who will be starting just his fifth Test — 39 less than Sexton.

“Sexton and Conor Murray are pivotal to Ireland’s game, especially their kicking game, and quite rightly Sexton was the Lions’ starting fly-half in 2013 — and his form hasn’t diminished since then.

“They are a very good partnership and Sexton’s relationship with Joe Schmidt, and implementing the game plan, makes him a key player. But equally, Ben Youngs has been on that Lions tour too.

“Was Saturday less than ideal for Ireland, with Sexton playing? Not so much, in that he hasn’t played for so long. His performance against France having not played for 12 weeks was exceptional, so to get another game under his belt — he will be glad for it. Joe Schmidt will be glad he has got through unscathed.”

What England would give to emerge unscathed on Sunday. Their recent experiences in Dublin include comprehensive defeats at Croke Park and at the Aviva in 2011, followed by a scrappy win at the same venue two years ago. They expect a cauldron this weekend.

“We have all been involved in games against Ireland where they have raised their game and played unbelievably well,” continued Lancaster. “This is a team that has won nine on the bounce. They are a very good side, very well coached with a lot of good players who will be hugely motivated by England coming to Dublin.

“A few of the players have felt what Ireland are like at their very best and we are sure it will be coming our way on Sunday.”

There is more positive news for England with Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood and Geoff Parling all returning after injury.