England and Ireland set for pivotal Six Nations showdown between two strong contenders
Both England and Ireland have experienced inconsistent Six Nations campaigns thus far.
England entered the tournament as one of the two frontrunners for the title. Their performance in the first round against Wales was impressive, but they faced a setback against Scotland, losing the Calcutta Cup to their long-standing rivals. The only positive from the match against Scotland last weekend was the scrum, as England’s 12-match winning streak came to an unexpected end.
– Six Nations talking points: England need response vs. Ireland
– Players to watch: Henry Pollock, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, more
– Power rankings: England drop, but by how much?
As for Ireland, the team that has often appeared self-assured was convincingly outperformed by France in the opening round. The list of players unavailable for selection is extensive, and their front-row is unfamiliar, yet the expectations remain unchanged. They secured a crucial victory over Italy on Saturday, but it was not convincing; they required a stroke of luck and contributions from the bench to turn the match in their favor.
As Ireland prepares to visit Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, the match appears to be crucial. The hosts are favored, and Steve Borthwick will be looking for a reaction from his squad, but a loss could lead to questions about whether their development has stalled before yielding results.
For Andy Farrell, achieving only one win from three matches will likely provide more fuel for critics amid worries regarding the depth of Ireland’s squad.
England: Emphasizing continuity and optimism
The sentiment within the England camp is that there is no cause for alarm following Saturday’s 31-20 loss to Scotland. England was outperformed in nearly every aspect of the game, except for the scrum. Players committed unusual mistakes, key individuals like Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill were not at their typical standards, and they played 30 minutes with 14 players due to Henry Arundell’s two yellow cards. In previous eras, this would have prompted significant changes. However, Borthwick’s approach is different; there is a distinct atmosphere surrounding this group.
According to ESPN sources, the feedback from the camp indicates that the players were unable to match the emotional intensity displayed by Scotland on Saturday. Scotland brought their full effort against England, fueled by the history of the rivalry, the frustration of their recent performances, and the desire to relieve the pressure on their beleaguered head coach Gregor Townsend.
England struggled with width, were outperformed in the collision area, and could not contain Finn Russell. Ultimately, it came down to emotion. This may clarify why Borthwick has opted for Henry Pollock and Tom Curry to start this week. He made three changes, with Ollie Lawrence also beginning in the centers, tasked with securing possession and carrying the ball with the same intensity he displayed in November against the All Blacks.
The decisions regarding Pollock and Curry are intriguing. Curry’s inclusion is logical—he has not made his usual impact off the bench in recent matches, and starting a British & Irish Lion at blindside against a highly experienced Ireland pack is a sound strategy.
As for Pollock, Borthwick expects him to make a significant impact, both on the field and in the stands. “He’s larger than life, isn’t he? Just wants to do well, wants to express himself,” Borthwick remarked.
“He is so intrinsically driven; he embodies that character. What you see is exactly what you get. He excites people … He can bring joy to fans that few players can. I will challenge him to express himself, to be himself.”
Borthwick recognizes that Ireland will attempt to provoke the 21-year-old, but he is confident that Pollock will “thrive” under such pressure.
