Brian O'Driscoll says England will not get an easy ride in Dublin |
This Six Nations campaign has not gone according to plan for Ireland, but legendary Irish skipper Brian O'Driscoll has issued a rallying call to his troops.
O'Driscoll has happy memories of playing England in recent times |
It is un - chartered territory for England, who have progressed rapidly following the introduction of an exciting group of young players over the last year. O’Driscoll led Ireland to the Grand Slam in 2009 and knows the pressure of the occasion is a crucial area that must be exploited.
“I don’t know too many of the England team and whether there is a new breed coming through full of confidence,” said the captain.
“I’m sure there will certainly be a number of those within their squad. But they will have some nerves like you would for any Grand Slam game and it’s our job to try to bring those nerves out and compound them. You understand that and if you see a potential frailty you have to go after that. Just because you find yourself at the big occasion it doesn’t mean you are owed anything. You still have to grind it out.”
O’Driscoll was captain in 2003 when Ireland and an England team led by Johnson collided in a Grand Slam decider at the old Lansdowne Road.
The Irish were blown away 42-6 but O’Driscoll, the only survivor from the starting line-up, credits the result for launching a trophy-laden era.
“When you have won four games your confidence is reasonably high, but the better team won on the day and in going on to win the World Cup they proved the quality of side they were,” he said.
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“It was part of a learning curve that brought us a Triple Crown the following year and the Grand Slam, albeit six years later. Like all games you learn something from it and try not to make the same mistakes again and subsequently we probably did that. “If you want to compare the England teams then and now, in 2003 they had been denied a Grand Slam on three previous occasions. They kept knocking on the door until they were finally let in.”
Ireland are one loss away from equalling their worst Six Nations performance of 2008 and enter their last competitive match before the World Cup with issues on multiple fronts.
Discipline, confidence, selection and tactics have all come under the microscope during a torrid championship, yet there is no inferiority complex against England.
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O’Driscoll is determined for them to extend that sequence by ruining the Grand Slam party.
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