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BY GRAHAM CLIFFORD

ENGLAND
IRELAND
Twickenham, 5.30pm

Come 7pm on Saturday in West London Ireland could be the Triple Crown and Six Nations Champions.

Standing in the way are an England side whose belief has been battered after losses away to Scotland and France. Confidence in the Irish camp is at its highest level since the championship began with many believing this could be their chance to deliver the best St. Patrick’s day gift possible to the Irish supporters.

It’s been years since Ireland traveled to Twickenham expecting to win but events this Spring have tilted the balance of power ever so slightly. A strong, professional performance against Scotland last weekend now sets up the one of the biggest days in Irish rugby for many years.

Ireland are hungry for success — many feeling the sole Triple Crown victory of 2004 isn’t a clear reflection of how Eddie O’Sullivan and his background teams have changed Irish rugby over the years. Despite facing stern criticism after a rocky win over Italy and a torrid opening 20 minutes in the defeat to France O’Sullivan has used his passion for the game and meticulous planning to steady the Irish ship as it sails towards Six Nations immortality.

In a clear sign of how deep belief is in the Irish camp the excellent Jerry Flannery has publicly stated that it’s the English who should now fear the men in green and not the other way round. The Munster hooker who was in sensational form in Ireland’s

15-9 win over Scotland said: “England should be looking at us and seeing what we can do. A lot of people talk up the English sides all the time and I’m getting used to that.”

Flannery rightly says Ireland can prosper in the line-outs at Twickenham. Ireland stole eight of Scotland’s with Paul O’Connell in particular causing havoc for Frank Hadden’s troops in what was the last Six Nations game ever to be played at Lansdowne Road.

Flannery said: “If you look at our pack we have so many good second rows in Paul O’Connell, Malcolm O’Kelly and Donncha O’Callaghan. But on top of that John Hayes is probably the best lifter in world rugby and Marcus Horan is not far behind him which makes my job much easier.”

The deep-rooted confidence expressed by Flannery runs through the rest of the squad as Ireland know they are good enough to overturn an English side who have huffed and puffed without showing any of the solidity and imagination witnessed under the management of Clive Woodward. France didn’t just beat England at the weekend but they unmercifully tore the World Champions asunder and in truth could have won by more — eventually settling for a 31-6 victory. It puts the Irish 12-point defeat at the hands of the French in Paris into perspective

Just as Wales battled with internal disputes and disruption before their game with Ireland now England seem to be imploding as many wonder if Andy Robinson is the right man for the job as coach.

Former England back Austin Healey has demanded that Robinson — an honest but unimaginative boss — be sacked immediately along with his backroom staff.

The player — who was capped 51 times for England — said after the defeat in the Stade de France: “That was as bad a performance as I can ever remember from an England team. The players looked to be lacking in inspiration and tactical awareness and that is down to the coaches. I have spoken to a number of the players and the consensus is that they’re not sure what’s going on.”

Music to the ears of Eddie O’Sullivan no doubt as he aims to defeat the English for a third year in a row.

Former England coach Dick Best has called for wholesale changes for the game against Ireland both on and off the pitch interestingly saying the veteran London Irish centre Mike Catt should be recalled as a matter of urgency.

Fearing the worst against Ireland Best added: “I would put out the biggest SOS I could to Mike Catt and say: ‘Please come and play’.”

Despite England’s poor Six Nations campaign though O’Sullivan will be well aware the side will be fired up for victory in front of their home fans. Ireland will be expecting a backlash and the Corkonian will insist on discipline and control amidst what is sure the be an electric atmosphere at Twickenham.

O’Sullivan said: “We’re in the situation we wanted to be in at this point. We said after beating Wales we were very happy but the result against Scotland has put us in the position to win and that’s why nothing mattered until the final whistle last weekend.

“We’re still in charge of our own destiny. We go to Twickenham with a Triple Crown there for the taking as well. Now we will circle the wagons and start setting our sights on the clash.”

Ireland have named the same side that defeated Scotland for Saturday’s fixture. While Paul O’Connell was taken off midway through the second-half in that game his contribution on Saturday will be vital for the full 80 minutes.

The atmosphere at Twickenham would be all the more electric if Wales could pull off a surprise victory over France in the Millenium Stadium. Having drawn with Italy last weekend the Welsh, much like the English, will be aiming to finish off their Six Nations campaign with a bang and restore some pride to the Valleys. The Grand Slam Champions have been a shadow of the team which played so magnificently last season though and a victory would be unlikely.

However this year’s Six Nations has been anything but predictable. Irelands No. 1 aim will be the Triple Crown but on the weekend that’s in it we could do with the luck of the Irish if we’re to win our first Championship title since 1985.

Six Nations table