Beware English underdogs

England come to Dublin on Sunday and for the first time since the 80’s they come as underdogs. They also arrive with the extra baggage of knowing that they could become the first in England side to lose the first three Championship games since 1987. Some albatross.

There’s no doubt Andy Robinson’s charges are but a pale shadow of Clive Woodward’s World Cup winning side. The international retirement’s of Martin Johnson, Laurence Dalaglio and Neil Back, coupled with injuries to Will Greenwood, Julian White, Richard Hill and one Jonny Wilkinson have robbed Robinson of the guts of Woodward’s side. There’s no international outfit around that could absorb those blows and still retain the mantle of world beaters.

However, you don’t see Robinson, or any of his players, crying or making excuses. Their mantra is still get out on the pitch and win. Rightly so. As Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan pointed out yesterday: "England have had these changes based on retirements and a couple of injuries. But I don't think it's a major deal. There aren't too many rookies on the English team; they've players with experience still. England are in transition at the moment, but it doesn't mean they're not ready to play."

Not too many rookies is spot on. The Irish rugby public can tend to get carried away with how they perceive a game will pan out. No one apart from O’Sullivan and Brian O’Driscoll gave Ireland a chance against England at Twickenham last year. In fact, most feared one of those all too familiar pasting’s in West London.

It’s always interesting to try and read into O’Sullivan’s pre-match comments to attempt and gauge his mindset. Before Twickenham 2004, while others watched gobsmacked, O’Sullivan declared that he felt that there was no better time to take on the World Champions on their own patch. His captain, O’Driscoll, almost caused derision among English and Irish alike when he announced that he hoped Ireland would give the prawn sandwich brigade something to choke on. Talk about motivating the opposition.

It’s all history now, but, what came to pass that afternoon will never be forgotten as Ireland recorded a rare and precious victory away to the auld enemy, scored what has to be one of the all-time great international tries and in the process defended a narrow lead for the last ten minutes. England didn’t play badly, but, Ireland pulled a performance out of the hat that was full of O’Sullivan’s planning and executed almost without fault by the players.

This week, however, there’s been no talk of prawn sandwich’s or of kicking England when their down. An English backlash for losing two games they should have won, is perhaps, feared. O’Sullivan will certainly be taking that into account and perhaps has tailored his comments this week to allow no possible fuel for English motivation.

There’s no doubting that a backlash is what our friends from across the river will have in mind. English pride doesn’t just evaporate because of a couple of poor results. How often have they been given the slipper down under on summer tours only to dish it back out to all and sundry in the following six nations?

But, when all is said and done, Sunday will really boil down to the Irish performance. We know England won’t roll over, so it’s up to the players to front up again. If there are below par performances a la Italy there will certainly be trouble t’at mill.

O’Driscoll’s inclusion is a boon that cannot be overestimated. Whatever one thinks of his indulgence in making the most out of his image and his perceived cockiness, there is one thing that’s certain. No one gives more than he does on the field. His motto for training is: "train as hard as you mean to play". He neither compromises in training or playing.

But it’s not all about him. Big games are needed from the locks Paul O’Connell and Malcolm O’Kelly and the backrow cannot afford to go missing like it did in Rome. All test matches are won having been built by some sort of forward platform.

The Irish will surely not let supposed English weakness play on their minds and cause an underestimation of the opposition. Too many hammerings at English hands will see to that.

Maybe it might be Robinson who unwittingly provides Ireland with the motivational spark. Indeed Mr Robinson, Ireland do need to "take the next step".

Forecast: Ireland to win by 10 points after tight first half.