Tadhg eyes his own gran slam

TADHG FURLONG has got two aims today... to beat England at Twickenham and keep his granny happy.

In the build-up to the clash at Twickenham

Furlong recalled a recent conversation with his 87-year-old grandmother that summed up the passion for the sport in Ireland.

Furlong (below) pulls up an image on his phone of his nan inches from a TV screen at her home on Whiddy Island, Co Cork, watching Johnny Sexton lining up a kick in Ireland’s convincing win over Wales a fortnight ago – a game in which her grandson scored a terrific barrelling try.

“That’s her there now watching the telly. Eyesight not great – she got the two cataracts done there up in Belfast. She’s up close to it,” said Furlong.

“My cousin’s girlfriend

went in to watch the game with nanny. And here’s the quote of the day from my grandmother: ‘If Sexton misses this one I’ll f*** him from all angles.’ That’s a direct quote from my grandmother!’”

There, in a colourful nutshell, is the rugby passion of the Irish for you and when it comes to today’s game against England it will be doubled.

Ireland have a terrific record against England in the Six Nations era – they are the only side to have won more – 11 – than they have lost – nine – against them. Four of those victories have come at Twickenham as well including the Grand Slam game two years ago.

But they arrive at HQ fuelled not so much by those warming memories but by the crushing 57-15 World Cup warm-up loss on their last visit in August.

The two sides were at different stages of their preparation for Japan but the fear of anything approaching a repeat will drive Ireland today.

“We were humiliated,” said Furlong. “Jeez, if we play like that at the weekend, it will be the same result.”

There is no chance of a repeat with England still finding their feet in this championship and Ireland rejuvenated under Andy Farrell.

If they win and stay on course for a Grand Slam Whiddy Island will go wild.