England's rose rarely blooms in Dublin

Dublin hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for English sides in the Six Nations era, writes Simon Collings.

English eyes may have their sights set on a world record in Ireland this weekend, but there is another record that doesn’t make quite as pleasant reading. Since the birth of the Six Nations in 2000, England have travelled to Dublin eight times and only twice have they left victorious. One of those wins came in 2003 as the Grand Slam was secured by Clive Woodward’s team, while the second of those did not come until 10 years later in a tight 12-6 victory.

More often than not Dublin has been a city of woe for England and it’s why the Red Rose are wary of today’s clash.