| Venue: Twickenham Dates: Saturday, March 12 Kick-off: 16:45 GMT |
| Coverage:Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live. Text commentary available on the BBC Sport website or app. |
Eddie Jones, England’s Eddie Jones, says Ireland has “not played a game so physical” at Twickenham in the crucial Six Nations match.
Both sides are seeking victory to be eligible for Grand Slam-chasing France.
Jones pointed out that Ireland has not been confronted by the South African up-front force since 2017. England beating the world champions in November.
Jones stated that Ireland knows it will be a physically demanding game.
The talent of both packs is evident in Saturday’s 10 starting players who have been on British Lions tours.
England prop Kyle Sinckler will be facing Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy in the front row.
Maro Itoje and Tadhg Beinne, Lions team-mates, are facing off in the second row. Peter O’Mahony will retain his place in Ireland’s backrow alongside England captain Courtney Lawes.
Jones believes that his forwards have an edge and has backed his team to “bring a Physicality Ireland aren’t used to”. Jones also said: “They hadn’t played in a game so physical as this for quite a while.”
England’s young stars play the “Biggest” game
England’s head coach has maintained faith with young talent in the backs, as scrum half Harry Randall again starts ahead of Ben Youngs.
Randall will team up with Marcus Smith, the tournament’s top-scorer. Freddie Steward maintains the starting 15 shirt.
Jones stated that the must-win contest was “the biggest game” his young stars had played in, and added that Ireland would be “going at Marcus”.
Despite much talk about England’s Six Nations attack, the side failed to win against Wales and had to hold onto victory.
Jones said that Jones was defending his position and stated: “It is not a linear progression. There are small ups as well as downs. It is especially true when you have a young team such as ours, which has nine, 10, and 15 year olds.
“It will be an interesting test for them and they’ll learn lots.” They learn more about how to deal with the ebbs, flows and changes of each game they play.
‘We can disrupt Ireland’
Jones, as he did with his previous opponents, has stressed that Ireland is favourites to win Twickenham. He has also branded them “the most cohesive side in the world”.
Jones stated that Jones’ side must “upset Ireland’s rhythm” if they want to win and be in a position to claim the title at Paris on the final weekend.
He added, “We have worked very hard to try and find a means to do that in Ireland.”
“It’s hard because they are a strong team, but it is possible to disrupt their pattern and tempo. That’s how you create opportunities.
“The down side of being a cohesive group is that the players depend on the patterns a lot. They look at each other when the pattern breaks to figure out what’s happening. We’ll see Saturday.”
