Big Match Preview: A big away win is needed if Ireland is on the right track

This team may have beaten the All Blacks, but they have yet to prove that they can continue their journey.

In Paris they delivered a spirited performance to stay with an amazing French team and they went away with pride intact. Mental triumphs, however, are part of Irish rugby’s distant past.

This team aspires to higher things and, if they are to achieve their own silverware goals, they need to learn fast and start showing up on the right side of tight games when the crowd backs them up. . Today would be a good place to start.

No Irish team can take England lightly at Twickenham. History cannot be so easily dismissed.

London has not been an exciting hunting ground for a group of players who have won only once since 2012. Of course, that victory was a Grand Slam match on St Patrick’s Day, 2018, but it was an exception. in the record book.

Their last three visits to South West London have been incredible.

On a sweltering hot day in August 2019, they arrived at midnight to kick off the World Cup and whatever faith they still had was put aside in a record loss.

In February 2020, Johnny Sexton had his worst performance in greens when they exploded in vibrant technical color. They returned to an empty Twickenham in November of that year and while the score was closer the reality was that Maro Itoje and Co had narrowly held off Ireland like schoolyard bulls who were always thinking about things. bigger.

Farrell believes his side were lulled to sleep in England’s hands on those occasions.

Back then, they lacked confidence and their attacking play didn’t match.

While they arrived in Paris last month, Ireland showed many signs that they are a very different proposition in 2022.

For all of Eddie Jones’ obscurity, this England team isn’t as good as France, who are in impressive form for the World Cup at home.

In contrast, Australia’s much-vaunted four-year plan proved deeply disconcerting. The fear was that they would click today, but Ireland knew they were capable of delivering an 80-minute performance.

If they do, they have the weapons to hurt this England team.

The party may lose the buffs of Andrew Porter and Rónan Kelleher and that reduces the number of possible attackers, but Ireland will support their setup.

Behind the chaos, England has the stars of the future and Ireland has a set of high-profile professionals.

During his time at the helm, Farrell has netted wide but there are still a few good men he relies on.

Two of them, Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy, are restored to the starting XV for a big game again today.

Both men were assigned to their debut by Declan Kidney and with 196 caps between them, they no doubt bring huge experience.

Unlike some of their younger colleagues, who had grown older during the pandemic, they were used to full homes in the Continent.

However, there are question marks about the ability to play the fast-paced ball game Farrell wants to play.

From the British point of view, their presence as options would not concern the defenders in the way that Porter and Jack Conan would. The same goes for Rob Herring, who doesn’t pose the same threat as Kelleher or Dan Sheehan on the bench.

However, if Ireland wants to win the World Cup, they have to learn how to deal with the leaders.

Farrell remains loyal to the senior players even though it appears there are players who are more in line with his game plan who are unable to join the roster. The results have so far made him a luxury but there is still the fear that the bench isn’t set up to chase the game.

In particular, the presence of Conor Murray is the most concerning.

While Farrell can point to his experience, there is little evidence that the Limerick man was built to play Farrell’s game plan. When it came time to take control, he was the perfect man, but if Ireland needs to keep up the pace of Jamison Gibson-Park’s service, he’s the one in the wrong.

Ireland talked a lot about getting through those tough moments in the game, rolling in the punches and staying true to your self-worth.

Even without Sexton, they admirably remained in the battle against France and they hoped that the captain’s presence would be an even more calming influence. On what could be his last visit to Twickenham, Sexton will be keen to beat young impersonator Marcus Smith.

Don’t forget that the Harlequins star was picked before the veteran St Mary’s for the Lions tour last summer – that will still sting.

However, Smith still has the ability to hurt Ireland if he receives the ball well. The British attack has so far been tumultuous, but a group led by Itoje provides a solid foundation. The ability to overcome the illness that overtook him on Thursday night will be key.

Britain has promised a rudimentary physique that they believe can rock this side of Ireland, but Farrell and Paul O’Connell will quietly be confident they’ve built up to the storm. there.

In theory, they have a better attack and a division can hold its own. The England bench looks a bit more formidable, but that’s it.

Ultimately, it’s about delivering a precise, fierce and disciplined performance of the day; keep the head when the time is needed and make the right decision.

Even with all that, a win is not guaranteed if England get their own match.

That’s what makes winning at this venue so special and why today’s results matter so much.