England have belief, says fly-half Flood

England's day of Grand Slam reckoning has arrived and fly-half Toby Flood declared: "There's not a single guy who believes we can't win."

Martin Johnson's young guns tackle Ireland at the gleaming new Aviva Stadium late this afternoon knowing a victory would seal England's first RBS 6 Nations clean sweep in eight years.

Facing them will be an Ireland side angered by their controversial defeat to Wales and determined to celebrate St Patrick's weekend by ruining England's Grand Slam party.

But after four consecutive championship victories, Flood has urged England to take their opportunity and create a slice of history in Dublin.

"We are going all out to win. We are desperate to win and there's not a single guy in the changing room who believes we can't win," Flood said.

"We haven't won there in a long long time so we're certainly going there as underdogs. We haven't even caused Ireland a huge amount of problems in recent years. It's going to be a huge test for us.

"We understand how difficult a Grand Slam is to win. We're certainly aware it doesn't get bigger than this.

"This is exactly where we want to be and if we shy away from it now, or don't believe in ourselves, then we've capitulated.

"It would be the biggest achievement I've had for myself in terms of Six Nations but also pulling on an England shirt. For England, in terms of where we are, it's hugely important for us."

Harlequins number eight Nick Easter will captain England for the second time in place of Mike Tindall, who was ruled out of the game after suffering an ankle ligament strain.

Matt Banahan, Bath's 6ft 7in Channel islander, takes over from Tindall at outside centre but Johnson has otherwise kept changes to a minimum.

England have used only 17 starting players during the championship with the only changes - Alex Corbisiero for Andrew Sheridan and Banahan for Tindall - enforced by injury.

Johnson was a member of England teams that failed to clinch the Grand Slam on four consecutive occasions before finally winning it in 2003 with an emphatic 42-6 victory over Ireland at the old Lansdowne Road.

Now the England manager, Johnson senses the right balance between fear and desire in his young side.

"We need a healthy edge - that is a good thing and we play better with that," Johnson said.

"That comes from the fact we are playing a very good Ireland team away from home and the final game and the position we are in. There will be a big buzz about the game.

"We have talked about it all week. We just need to give it a crack. We know the pitfalls of playing these guys and we can't fall into them.

"Our guys are as excited as they've been for any game this year. We see this as an opportunity more than anything.

"We have an opportunity to win a Grand Slam and that's a great place to be - that's where we want to be going into a big game.

"These guys are ready to really have a crack."