Ireland hoping to reimagine epic of Soldier Field

The sight of the battleship England hoving into view, all guns blazing and with plenty of ammunition still left to unleash, might remind Irish supporters of when the All Blacks landed in Chicago last November.

Back then the world champions had just been crowned winners of the Rugby Championship, were odds-on favourites after 18 straight test victories, and carried with them an air of invincibility that left Ireland cast in the role of next victims on the rack.

That was not how it turned out that sunny afternoon at Soldier Field, Ireland producing a performance for the ages to blow Steve Hansen’s men off the park in a 40-29 epic for a first win over the Kiwis in 111 years of trying.