The 2023 Six Nations has reached what guarantees to be a charming climax as Grand Slam-hunting Eire welcome a wounded England to Dublin on St Patrick’s Day weekend.

Having entered the competitors because the world’s primary facet, the Irish have masterfully navigated their method by the primary 4 rounds to present themselves a shot at successful a fourth Grand Slam – and first in Dublin.

After a memorable 2022 that included a Check sequence overcome the All Blacks in New Zealand, a Six Nations clear sweep can be the last word assertion six months out from the World Cup in France.

England are in a special boat. With their title hopes mercilessly crushed by a rampant France at Twickenham final week, Steve Borthwick’s staff arrive in Dublin with two foremost goals: restoring delight and spoiling the Irish occasion.

England are usually not the one facet with designs on raining on Eire’s parade, in fact, as France can nonetheless retain their title. To have any likelihood, nevertheless, Les Bleus should beat Wales in Paris (14:45 GMT) earlier than Eire and England take to the pitch on Lansdowne Street.

‘Tremendous Saturday’ opens with Scotland internet hosting Italy at Murrayfield (12:30 GMT), which is stay on BBC One.

‘Desperation is an sickness’

Eire have dealt with every part the Six Nations has thrown at them, from dropping key gamers to damage to grinding out wins once they have not been at their finest.

Essentially the most spectacular Irish show got here towards France in Dublin in spherical two when Farrell’s males ran out 32-19 winners in an epic battle between the world’s prime two sides.

Beating the holders felt massive, however defeating England to ship a Grand Slam in Dublin for the primary time brings even higher strain, and Farrell has referred to as on his gamers to point out calmness within the midst of the “circus”.

“All these things that you simply guys [the media] are going to be writing, all of it turns into a part of the circus, you already know, managing all that,” he stated.

“However in actuality, anybody who has ever performed in an enormous recreation, whenever you recover from that white line all bets are off. It is enterprise time, is not it?

“All of the emotion will get taken out after the primary 5 minutes anyway after which you have to be at your finest.

“To me, desperation is an sickness. You wish to try to keep away from that.

“You may’t be correct when you’re determined. Being calm sufficient to be your self and being managed sufficient to be correct when it issues is a temperament that we’re all chasing.”

England eager to make amends for Twickenham humiliation

Even with out the possibility of successful a title, this is a crucial recreation for an England facet eager to extinguish the ache of their worst house defeat in 113 years of Check rugby towards France final week.

For Borthwick, who changed Eddie Jones as head coach in December, Saturday presents a chance to place England again on the fitting path within the final match outing earlier than the World Cup.

It will likely be an enormous ask, although, contemplating Eire have received their final 13 Checks at house.

“We all know that after the bitter disappointment of the show towards an distinctive France facet, we should be a lot improved to fulfill the problem of enjoying the facet ranked primary on the earth,” stated Borthwick.

“Nonetheless, I’ve witnessed an England squad decided to make amends for the defeat at Twickenham.

“I am assured that the staff introduced will as soon as once more wish to present the form of resilience and perspective that introduced us victory in Wales.”

What the pundits say

Former England scrum-half Danny Care on BBC Radio 5 Stay’s Rugby Union Each day podcast: “You may make errors like decision-making or ability execution, which you’ll be able to forgive, however the one non-negotiable in rugby and particularly whenever you’re sporting an England shirt is you do not surrender.

“I do not suppose you may see an perspective downside from England this weekend. The gamers and coaches will not let it occur.

“I feel Eire will win however you may see a extra combative efficiency from England.”

Former Eire and British and Irish Lions wing Shane Horgan: “Eire are uber-confident and are very relaxed at their potential to ship a efficiency.

“That confidence has been constructed over an extended interval. They’ve received a tour in New Zealand, they’ve crushed all of the southern hemisphere groups and towards France, Eire actually dominated.

“They’re safe of their potential and so they’re not trying over their shoulders.”

Sexton v Farrell

As ever, Eire and England’s efficiency will likely be dictated by their fly-halves, round whom there was a contrasting narrative in current weeks.

That is being constructed up as Johnny Sexton’s massive day. It’s the Eire captain’s final Six Nations recreation and he can safe his place in Irish sporting historical past by turning into the primary skipper to win a Grand Slam in Dublin.

He additionally wants only one level to surpass predecessor Ronan O’Gara because the Six Nations’ all-time document scorer.

However, England fly-half Owen Farrell – the son of Eire head coach Andy – is looking for redemption after being dropped for Marcus Smith within the France defeat.

Line-ups

Eire: Keenan; Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Baird, Ryan; O’Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Healy, O’Toole, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, R Byrne, O’Brien.

England: Steward; Watson, Slade, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (c), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Ribbans, Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Mitchell, Smith, Marchant.