Public enemies No1
THEY’RE THE SIDE NEIGHBOURING TEAMS LOVE TO HATE, BUT JAMES HASKELL SAYS ENGLAND JUST DON’T CARE
GRAND SLAM or no Grand Slam, Eddie Jones or no Eddie Jones, today’s game against England will always be Ireland’s Six Nations focal point.
Ask France, Scotland and Wales and the same rule applies. While Italy are the championship’s exception in targeting the French, there is something about the sight of white which triggers an ancient grudge in England’s neighbours.
This is part of the explanation as to why England’s past two matches in Edinburgh and Paris have ended in tears. Rugby is a tactical and physical contest but it is also an emotional experience.
While England can always match their opponents when it comes to pride in representing their own country, it is not quite so easy to mirror the darker feelings deep within their opponents.
“That’s what happens when you used to run the world, isn’t it? It’s down to empire building,” sighed England’s recalled back-row ball-carrier James Haskell.
“It’s an easy motivation factor for other sides because of the long, entrenched history. It’s very difficult for us to say that. If you know your history, we are partly to blame.
“When you play any country people always ask about the passion. If you’re playing the Scots, say, it’s the ‘auld enemy’ but we literally don’t care. I try to approach my life in sport with passion, intensity and a desire to come out on top and win. I don’t hate anyone. There are people I dislike but I don’t have that.
“When you’re playing for England you want to stay involved and you want to win – those are motivating factors enough.
“After losing against Scotland and France, it’s more important we put on a performance, get a victory and acquit ourselves well.What it means to Ireland is kind of irrelevant. We don’t talk about that.” Cold rationality can be an advantage in creating clarity among the chaos of an international but there will always be room for collective mania.
Irish rugby has moved on a long way from the era of ‘kick ahead, kick any head’ but even under a forensic tactician like Joe Schmidt it will be fuelled – against
England – by a controlled rage. The mugging in Dublin 12 months ago, which set Ireland off on their unbeaten year, was all about depriving England of the Grand Slam. It was a case of stop the English at all costs. Stop the Irish at all costs? It doesn’t quite work as well. “There would be some players who are motivated by that,” said England captain Dylan Hartley. “I’m motivated by finishing the tournament on a high after two disappointments. “I’m motivated by showing the rugby world that we’re still a good team. We do that by beating the current Six Nations champions.” There was another thing about the Aviva Stadium last year. The atmosphere. Just as in Cardiff five years ago when Wales foiled another English Grand Slam bid and took the championship themselves, there was an edge to it. Can Twickenham create the same swell of noise and emotion with nothing on the line for England today? Unlikely. England, searching inwards for their missing spark, insist it will not matter. Haskell, who wins his 77th cap today, said: “The Twickenham crowd are great – but normally when you are in the mix you don’t play too much attention. Everyone always says, ‘You probably heard me in the crowd with my mates’. You go, ‘Of course I did’ – but in reality you don’t hear them.” Ireland have evolved into England’s main rivals in Europe but the legacy of a shared Lions tour last summer ensures they are the closest of enemies. “The best thing about the Lions tour for me was meeting people and seeing them outside the rugby arena,” said Haskell. “Johnny Sexton was a really interesting guy. He’s a very passionate player, very on the line and a talisman for Ireland, but it was great to meet him. He’s a top guy, same with Conor Murray. “Tadhg Furlong was a great hugger. I should have guessed he would be. I shared a room with him and I was obviously looking a bit tired so he asked me if I wanted a hug. “I looked at him and said, ‘Come on then’, and it was just a really nice hug. Then I put my clothes back on. That’s bonding on tour!”