Irish ready to expose another bout of jitters

Then there is the overriding factor that England have not played together since last April apart from a low-key summer tour to North America, when only three of the present team took part. It is this ring rustiness that is the main concern, even though England's preparation for Lansdowne Road has been meticulous.

A team can train until the cows come home but it is only practice that allows you to iron out the creases. Ireland, with two recent games under their belts, will no doubt have this in mind as they attempt to "get in the faces" of an England team committed to putting width on the game.

Matt Dawson, the new England skipper, is no stranger to this situation. He was captain on that fateful day 18 months ago when, in appalling conditions, England failed to break free of the Scottish stranglehold. But much of that was self-imposed because of the expansive style employed that day when a more pragmatic approach was required.

I hope the lesson has been learned by Dawson and his England team-mates because failure to complete a Grand Slam at the third time of asking would be difficult to stomach and pose serious question marks over England's ability to lift a trophy when it matters.

There is no doubt at some stage tomorrow things will become a bit scary and the need to batten down the hatches and stop entertaining will be required.

Whether this England team are capable of changing midstream to grind out a win will be the acid test.

Dick Best was England's Grand Slam winning coach in 1992.