Since they earned a win over New Zealand for the first time in nine years in December, optimism has reigned in English rugby and that will only have increased after a comfortable win over Scotland in their opening Six Nations match of 2013.
Ireland now face a resurgent team tomorrow – although England has not beaten the Irish in Dublin in a Six Nations match since 2003.
Inspired by Brian O’Driscoll and Simon Zebo among others, Declan Kidney’s men left Cardiff with a thrilling 30 – 22 victory over reigning champions Wales.
England’s head coach Stuart Lancaster has been lauded for picking players on form rather than reputation and also seems to have a brought certain level of humility to the English ranks.
So which players do Ireland have to pay particular attention to?
Owen Farrell
The 21-year-old fly-half has been a key part of England’s revival, kicking 17 points in the 38 – 21 win over the All Blacks in Twickenham.
And he added 18 more during a Man of the Match performance in the Calcutta Cup win over Scotland last Saturday.
The Saracens star also enjoyed a successful debut in last season’s Six Nations tournament where he kicked 63 points in five games and also started at No 10 for the first time in his England career against Wales.
Farrell has also been in fine form for Saracens in Heineken Cup, scoring 75 points, including an immaculate display of kicking to notch a personal haul of 32 in a 37 – 28 victory over Racing Metro.
Jonathan Sexton’s battle with him should make for compelling viewing.
Bradley Barritt
Farrell’s Saracens team-mate has also become a regular under Lancaster. The South African-born inside centre’s excellent distribution and commitment defensively have not gone unnoticed and he started both victories over New Zealand and Scotland, getting a try against the All Blacks.
He has added extra depth for England at centre giving Lancaster a selection headache with Billy Twelvetrees - who scored a try on his test debut last week - and the returning Manu Tuilagi vying for the two centre spots during the 2013 Six Nations. But it will be Barritt and Twelvetrees who have been given the nod to start against Ireland.
Chris Ashton
Another Saracens man to watch out for is Chris Ashton who has scored two tries in his last two games. The 25-year-old winger was the joint-leading try scorer at the 2011 World Cup, although he did go try-less in last year’s Six Nations. The former rugby league star went over for two tries against Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup three weeks ago and his pace on the flanks will be a threat tomorrow.
Tom Youngs
Northampton Saints hooker Dylan Hartley has been spared from starting against Ireland after he bit Stephen Ferris in last season’s corresponding fixture, incurring an eight-week ban.
But the fact that he starts on the bench has much more to do with Tom Young’s recent good form. The Leicester Tiger No 2 started both games against New Zealand and Scotland, although he did cost his side a try last week with a high tackle on Joe Launchbury.
Alex Goode
The full-back has also been a regular for England in recent months, impressing in the All Blacks clash, after a Man of the Match performance against Fiji at the start of the Autumn Series.
The 24-year-old garnered positive attention for his regular attacking raids from full back against the Fijians.
Another Saracens man, he starts tomorrow for the fifth consecutive test as he establishes himself at 15.
©INPHO/Billy Stickland
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