After Twickenham tweaking, it’s now lift-off

Call it what you will, and as far as Joe Schmidt is concerned it is most definitely not a warm-up, but Ireland’s clash with England at Twickenham today represents a significant moment on the road to this fast-approaching World Cup.

That this is a game to put right the mistakes made in previous performances against Scotland and Wales is hardly unique, but given the nature of this match and the strength of the opposition, head coach Schmidt will require his frontliners to take a great leap forwards from last week’s outing against the Welsh.

This is the final run before the tournament gets under way against Canada in Cardiff on September 19 and given the schedule of games that follow, the last true top-tier Test before the meatier Pool D games with Italy and France in early October.