ONE LOSS IS CARELESS, TWO IS A PROBLEM, THREE IS A CRISIS
England have to nip this slump in the bud and deny Ireland the Slam they crave
ENGLAND may not have a title to play for today, but they will be driven to stop Ireland winning a Grand Slam while getting back on the World Cup bandwagon.
Acting as St Patrick’s Day party-poopers is not high on their agenda, but after two successive defeats, Dylan Hartley and Co want to prove they are not a broken team, despite chronic breakdown problems. And there is also a proud home record to protect. They have seen off all comers at Twickenham under Eddie Jones.
When it was put to the England captain that his side could finish as low as fifth in this year’s NatWest 6 Nations — after winning the previous two — he said: ‘That’s the pessimistic view. I tend to think the other way — we could finish second.’
Victory would also return England to second place in the global rankings, but Hartley insists he is not motivated by consolation prizes. ‘What’s that film? Talladega Nights; there’s a great quote in that. (“If you ain’t first, you’re last”).’
So what are the English motivations? What forces will inspire the hosts to stand firm in the face of an Irish juggernaut now the quest for a title ‘three-peat’ is over?
‘ Everyone here is motivated differently,’ said Hartley, when asked about preventing the visitors from claiming a Grand Slam, exactly as Ireland did to England in Dublin a year ago.
‘There would be some players who are motivated by that. We don’t want Ireland to win a Grand Slam. 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. Some people might be motivated by not wanting to lose our home record.’
Eddie Jones has carried out a sweeping selection overhaul since the defeat in Paris. Among those brought back into the starting XV, James Haskell is a familiar figure aiming to add dynamic power to the home back row.
The Wasps veteran offered a unique take on how England’s sense of purpose this year will differ from Ireland’s in 2017.
Asked about the hatred and hostility England have to contend with wherever they go, he said: ‘That’s what happens when you used to run the world, isn’t it?
‘It’s down to empire building. It got done a long, long time ago. I was nothing to do with it. I never got in my boat and said, “Right, you’re part of Great Britain”. I can’t be held responsible for it!
‘I don’t hate anyone. It’s an easy motivation 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!’
One way or another, there is no doubt that English minds will be suitably focused today. From a commanding position not so long ago, they are now on a precipice.
Two defeats in a row — for the first time under Jones — could swiftly become a significant losing run, as Warren Gatland so readily pointed out on Thursday. England haven’t lost three on the bounce in the Six Nations since 2006. If there is a repeat of the stilted, aimless and flat performance against France last weekend, England will lose today.
They simply cannot afford to let the Irish overrun them at the ruck as Scotland and France did to such devastating effect. Once is careless, twice is a problem, three times is a crisis. Haskell can bring abrasive force to this task, while Sam Simmonds can use his pace to telling effect, over the ball as well as when carrying it.
The selection revamp is intriguing. Kyle Sinckler could be an explosive asset as a tough, mobile prop, but only if he stays composed in the face of antagonism. George Kruis is back to bolster an effective lineout and Hartley must set the tone for adapting strategically on the hoof, if required.
Further back, the selection of Richard Wigglesworth suggests Jones wants his side to beat the Irish at their own tactical, aerial game. The scrum-half’s duel with Conor Murray in that regard will be fascinating and pivotal.
But, most tellingly of all, England have abandoned the two play maker model in favour of Owen Farrell at fly-half and Ben Te’o at inside centre. Te’o versus another Kiwi, Bundee Aki, should be a fiery confrontation, as the home side prepare to take a more direct approach.
Such is the calibre of the visitors, it is difficult to find English trump cards. Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson will give Ireland carrying clout, their lineout is impressive, their scrum vastly improved and their driving game has been far more effective than England’s.
Murray and Johnny Sexton run the show with assurance and Joe Schmidt has aces out wide in Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale — the tournament’s top try-scorer — and the revitalised Rob Kearney.
At present, this Irish team have a conviction and cohesion that England haven’t come close to matching. The new champions must be favourites. Based on all recent evidence, they should win.
But these rivalries don’t work like that. It will be tight and tense. England will be hell-bent on stopping the Slam and starting their recovery from this mini- slump. Victory is not beyond them.