PETE’S ON US WARNS SKIPPER

ENGLAND v IRELAND

weeks now. Not that it’s disruptive but it’s irrelevant to be talking about it at this point because your performances are what shows everyone what you’re thinking.

“And to keep everything we want to do alive we need a performance – and it has to be the best one we have put in so far.

“I think we have grown through the competition but this has to be the best of the whole lot – and the rest of it will sort itself out if that’s the case.”

Ireland can enter the record books again with a win at the home of English rugby.

Victory would see Farrell’s (above) side equal the achievement of the teams of 1972-76 that beat the old enemy on five successive occasions.

It would also see them become the first team ever in the championship to win 12 times on the spin – beating

England’s record of 11 that was achieved between

2015 and 2017, when

Ireland ended their run.

O’mahony, 34, was also asked if this was the best Ireland team he had played on.

“I’ve been lucky to play with lots of good players and teams,” said the Test centurion. “If I had to nail the colours to the mast I’d have to say yes.

“It’s hard to compare because rugby has moved on and the game is different but, in a short answer, I think it is.”

Meanwhile, Jamie George has warned England will man the barricades to defend Twickenham from the rampant Irish.

Red Rose skipper George (inset) said: “We have respect for them. They’ve got brilliant players across the board. But this is England. This is Twickenham. This is home. And we’re going to defend our home, like every Englishman would. We don’t want anyone, any opposition, to come to Twickenham and have an easy ride.”

PETER O’MAHONY claims that Ireland will need their best display of this Six Nations to keep the hunt for back-to-back Grand Slams on course.

A bonus-point victory for Andy Farrell’s side at Twickenham would be enough to put them out of sight of the chasing pack with only Scotland still to come at Aviva Stadium next Saturday.

Ireland skipper O’mahony (above) addressed the question if such a prize was an inspiration or a distraction to the players.

“It has to be an inspiration because that’s what we’re all here for,” he said. “That’s what the competition is and what we’re all competing for, to do the things you’re talking about.

“We’ve touched on it but probably not for a few