Ireland:
R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ulster), J Payne (Ulster), R Henshaw (Connacht), S Zebo (Munster); J Sexton (Racing Metro), C Murray (Munster);
J McGrath (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D Toner (Leinster), P O'Connell (Munster); P O'Mahony (Munster), S O'Brien (Leinster), J Murphy (Leinster).
Replacements:
S Cronin (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), M Moore (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), T O'Donnell (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), F Jones (Munster)
England:
A Goode (Saracens); A Watson (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), L Burrell (Northampton Saints), J Nowell (Exeter Chiefs); G Ford (Bath), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers);
J Marler (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), D Cole (Leicester Tigers); D Attwood (Bath), G Kruis (Saracens); J Haskell (Wasps), C Robshaw (captain, Harlequins), B Vunipola (Saracens).
Replacements:
T Youngs (Leicester Tigers), M Vunipola (Saracens), H Thomas (Bath), N Easter (Harlequins), T Croft (Leicester Tigers), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), D Cipriani (Sale Sharks), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester).
Ireland host England in the biggest fixture in this year's Six Nations. The winner will have a Grand Slam firmly in their sights, while the loser will have to hope for the consolation prize (albeit a good consolation!) of a Championship title. It is the fixture that excites like no other for Irish supporters. England have won the last four meetings against Ireland, dating back to their World Cup warm up win in Dublin in 2011 so there is more than enough incentive for Ireland to win on Sunday and prevent a 5-0 record!
Ireland have not tickled the taste buds in terms of entertaining rugby that had become the hallmark of Joe Schmidt's Leinster side in their prime, but they have found a means of winning games. Against a poor Italy side it was a case of taking the opportunities when they presented themselves in the second half and putting the foot down to secure the win. The French win was ground out with solidity in discipline and defence, with the French proving themselves too ragged to truly threaten Ireland's victory at Aviva Stadium. The team is slowly building a culture of winning under the current management and at end of 2015 we may be pointing to the heartbreaking loss to New Zealand in Dublin as a turning point of Irish rugby.
England began their Six Nations with a surprise victory against Wales. We were treated to the attacking talents of some of their new guard of players in the Bath trio of Ford, Joseph and Watson. Wales simply had no answer to England's combination of flair and physicality. Despite some hairy moments against Italy, eventually England pulled away and put up a considerable score. The pressure is immense on the management with the World Cup looming large and the difficult group stage prospect with Wales and Australia to come. One big name will fail to make it out of that group and for it to be England would be unacceptable for the nation.
Selections:
Ireland have made just one change to the starting XV that won against France and it is enforced: Jordi Murphy comes in as a straight swap for Jamie Heaslip. Since Murphy has already started in Heaslip's absence against Italy it is not a major surprise but with Tommy O'Donnell and Iain Henderson in form there were other possible choices. On the bench Eoin Reddan replaces Isaac Boss. Reddan was disappointing in his return against Zebre and if called upon will need to improve his performance.
England have made two changes to the starting XV and both come in the back three. Alex Goode replaces Mike Brown who has failed to complete the return to play concussion protocols in time for Sunday. Exeter wing Jack Nowell, who start every match in last year's tournament, replaces Jonny May. Both players are potential targets for Ireland, Alex Goode in particular has made some poor decisions in defence (notably against France last season) and doesn't offer the same pace and running ability as Mike Brown. On the bench Henry Thomas comes in as replacement tighthead.
Key Battle: The Centres
The centre partnerships for both teams remain inexperienced partnerships. While Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw have offered strong defence, they have yet to combust in attack. Both have displayed ample attacking talent for their province and England may be the opponent where Ireland's centres are pushed to express themselves.
In the absence of Manu Tuilagi, England's partnership of Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph has been an exciting addition to the team. Burrell offers a bosher role of straight line running and strength in contact while Joseph brings more subtle skills to the game, in evidence with his dazzling try against Wales. Both partnerships are still a work in progress and something may give on Sunday.
Prediction:
Ireland are on a roll since last year's Six Nations and are looking for their 13th consecutive win since Scotland in 2014. England are playing more running, exciting rugby this season but this may play into Ireland's hands with the home team's impressive defence. The loss of Mike Brown, England's star of last year's tournament, is a crucial blow to the visitors. If Sexton continues in this rich vein of form and Ireland's kicking game isn't wasteful (which on occasions proved costly against France) then Ireland should have the edge.
Ireland by 6.
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Images taken from independent.ie, bbc.co.uk, zimbio.com
Everything else is my own work.
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