Filed under: Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, Internationals, England Rugby, Ireland Rugby
WORLD CUP WARM-UP, AVIVA STADIUM, 27 AUGUST 2011. KICK-OFF 1430 BSTSome may say Ireland need this game more than England. Almost every one of Martin Johnson's 30-man squad has featured this summer and it appears he will stray little from his well-worn path of basing his games on a powerful pack and a powerful if limited backline.
Either way, he claims he will take things match-by-match when choosing his sides when the World Cup starts, hinting this line-up may serve as little indication of his thinking for the first game in New Zealand.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney, on the other hand, is still finalising his plans for the tournament, as his team selections this summer have been hampered by injuries. This is borne out by the fact that Tommy Bowe, Stephen Ferris and David Wallace are all making their first starts in this warm-up campaign.
Kidney said: "Our priority is to get all 30 players match fit with game time under their belts. England have selected a very physical side so we have to get ourselves right and get ready for a physical battle."
Johnson, meanwhile, is playing his cards close to his chest over his first-choice side for the opening game against Argentina.
The team against Ireland would suggest that Jonny Wilkinson has the edge over Toby Flood and that the penny has dropped with Johnson with regards to Shontayne Hape's shortcomings.
But Johnson said: "We are in a position where we could start a number of players and still have a strong team. It wouldn't affect the strength, it would just give us a different kind of team."
Johnson continued his refrain when asked about Steve Thompson starting at hooker in favour of Dylan Hartley and Louis Deacon pushing Tom Palmer out of the matchday 22 altogether before his return as cover for Tom Wood, adding about both: "It is the right choice for this game."
FORM GUIDE:
Ireland have lost all three of their warm-up games so far, once against Scotland and twice against France. England Beat Wales at Twickenham but lost at the Millennium Stadium.
MEN TO WATCH:
Ronan O'Gara (Ireland): With European champion Jonathan Sexton waiting on the bench, the onus is on evergreen fly-half O'Gara to show he is worth a place in the starting XV.
Manu Tuilagi (England): Standing outside Mike Tindall, the Leicester man will be called upon to provide the guile in the centre - and hopefully give fans hope that England might actually be worth watching in this World Cup.
ODDS: Ireland 4-5, England Evs, Draw 18-1.
THE BREAKDOWN:
THE FORWARDS:
England's massive pack is renowned - so much so that it appears they are relying on them for their World Cup fortunes. The return of back row pair of Ferris and Wallace are a boost for the Irish.
Edge: England
THE BACKS:
Ireland are missing Brian O'Driscoll but still have more creativity in the backline than England with the likes of Gordon D'Arcy, Bowe and Geordan Murphy. Key to the visitors' hopes is Wilkinson.
Edge: Ireland
THE BENCH:
Ireland have Sexton, Denis Leamy and Rory Best to call on in a vastly experienced bench. England have one uncapped man in scrum-half Joe Simpson, but other than the Wasps man the England replacements are brimming with experience.
Edge: Ireland
THE COACHING:
Kidney would love to end his warm-up campaign with a win - which would help to silence the doubters that have resurfaced since the Six Nations - while Johnson will be hoping his no-frills philosophy pays off, while also praying for no more injuries.
Edge: England
FanHouse predicts: Ireland by five.
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