A brusied Irish side face the daunting prospect of a highly physical confrontation with an English intent on coming to Dublin to put up a highly physical challenge to their hosts. One Irish player who looks set to be in for special attention on Sunday evening from the English forwards is Mike Ross, the Leinster prop. Ross was injured late in the first half of last year’s meeting between the sides and following his departure the English dominated the Irish scrum. Many now believe there will be a deliberate targeting of Ross by England’s Dylan Hartley, with the intention to disturb Ross and derail Ireland’s game plan.

Ross was just one of the wounded following a bruising encounter during last Saturday’s opening Six Nations encounter with Wales. The intense physicality of the second half has left Declan Kidney’s squad with a long list of casualties, albeit mostly temporary. While there are no indications yet that Declan Kidney will be forced into any changes from Saturday’s starting fifteen the reality is that Ireland, with just a week’s recovery time, have to go up against a physically imposing English side that will be coming to Dublin with the intent of putting intense pressure on the Irish team.

Former Ireland international Reggie Corrigan was speaking to Newstalk Breakfast’s Oisin Langan earlier this morning and Oisin first asked him what sort of effect the quick turnaround will have on the Ireland squad and what the effect will be should England succeed in taking Mike Ross out of the game?

Photo credit: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan