England ready for real battle

JOHN Mitchell insists England must be ready for a fight to the end against Ireland in today’s pivotal Autumn Nations Cup clash at Twickenham.

Eddie Jones’ men face the first meaningful test of the campaign after brushing aside Italy and Georgia as they target a place in the showpiece event on finals weekend next month.

Three conclusive wins in succession paints a picture of English dominance in meetings between the old rivals, but defence coach Mitchell views history as a false prophet.

“Ireland are a tenacious side and a side that never go away, so you have to fight to the end,” the former All Blacks boss said.

“You have to initiate it, you have to get in first. It doesn’t always fall your way and you have to win the big moments.

“We expect it to be an excellent game with a whole load of different contests and many individual battles.

“The past gives you some information, some of it is relevant, but not a lot of it.

“What’s relevant now is that you have two different teams in a different context and both wanting to win the Autumn Nations Cup.

“It’s the most important game of the year so we want to walk towards whatever is coming and get the right performance.

“We’re looking forward to whatever they chuck at us. We’re ready.”

England have selected their strongest available side, lighting the fuse for a fixture capable of breathing life into a competition that has yet to capture imaginations.

Flankers Tom Curry and Sam Underhill have been reinstated alongside number eight Billy Vunipola, while the return of props Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola brings firepower to the front row.