A TEAM on the away back to eminence, or a team hide bound by the power game. A team divided by alleged mistrust between the manager, who has talked a more fluid game than his players have produced, and his captain. A team that lost in the last minute to France, struggled to beat Wales, yet one that went to Murrayfield and defeated Scotland. Where lies the true England?

We may get the answer to those questions at Twickenham this afternoon when the final act of this season's Five Nations Championship is played out before a capacity attendance of 75,000 and when Ireland provide the opposition.

This has been a season when the game has made the headlines for too many of the wrong reasons. Nor has it been a championship that one can readily put into a coherent context. The new professional era has followed an erratic path, on and off the field, with too many dark shadows and not enough sunshine.

England go into the match with a Triple Crown at stake, and possibly a championship, depending on what happens between Wales and France in Cardiff. No such riches are on offer for Ireland. The two championship points, and possibly a mid table position, will be Ireland's reward for victory. However, that will be sufficient to sharpen Ireland's resolve.

England have not played before adoring audiences this season. They have not delivered on their manager's promise to play a running game, but they have nonetheless arrived at a point where they can pick up what would be a fourth Triple Crown in six years. Success always has its price and imposes its own demands. England's manager Jack Rowell has had a telling lesson in that respect. His future could be on line as well as the future careers. He has had to change course and trim objectives in the pursuit of continuing England's great run of success.

They have returned to a tried and tested formula power up front and efficiency behind the scrum. He had to recall Dean Richards, a man he deemed surplus to requirements at the outset of the series. He was even asked to return his rowing machine and mobile phone, some of the perks of being a member of the England squad. It was said of Richards that he was not unduly bothered as he never used one and did not know how to use the other. But he did care about playing for England. No one has served their cause more effectively through their period of unprecedented success.

With or without a mobile, Richards' phone did ring. Rowell was on the other end. Out went Martin Bayfield from the second row and out went Tim Rodber from the back row as Rowell rearranged his pack for a return to the power game. Rodber was the man many reckoned would succeed Will Carling as captain. Carling's captaincy comes to an end this afternoon, but Rodber will have to get back into team before he can take up the torch of leadership.

It is a much changed England side from the team that blazed the glory trail. Gone are the familiar figures of half backs, Rob Andrew and Dewi Morris, wing Tony Underwood, hooker Brian Moore, Bayfield, Rodber and Victor Ubogu. That is half a team, but for all of that, there is no change of tactics. Therein lies Rowell's problem. He has shipped unprecedented criticism as a result.

England's struggle to play a more expansive game could present Ireland with an opportunity to win today. There are reservations about England's half backs Matthew Dawson and Paul Grayson. Grayson has taken over Andrew's position, but not with Andrew's assurance or authority. They should be pressurised to the maximum. That will cut down the attacking possibilities for England's outside backs.

Carling and Jeremy Guscott, in the centre, and Rory Underwood, on the wing, are very experienced attackers. Ireland cannot afford any defensive lapses in the mid field area, such as they made on a few occasions against Wales.

Two years ago, Ireland went into the corresponding match and few felt optimistic about their chances. However, Ireland won and, in doing so, laid down the precepts that must be followed today. Ireland cannot afford and must not try to get into a power battle with the England forwards. Richards must not be allowed to dictate the pattern of play, as he did against Scotland.

Mobility is not a notable characteristic of this England pack Wales proved that a month ago at Twickenham. The Irish forwards must disrupt England in the line out and vary their own throw ins, if necessary, by the use of the short line out. If England dominate that area, then Richards will exert his influence.

The Irish forwards must speed up the game, disrupt England's pattern and pressure Dawson as Kyran Bracken was pressured in 1994. Gabriel Fulcher, Jeremy Davidson and Victor Costello carry a big responsibility in the line out, while Costello's strength going forward must be used as it was against Wales. He can tie in the England back row.

A feature of Ireland's last win at Twickenham was the tireless endeavour of the forwards - who will forget the tackles put in by the front row trio of Nick Popplewell, Terry Kingston and Peter Clohessy, and the tremendous application of all eight. They threw the England pack completely out of their rhythm. The tackling of the backs put the shackles on Carling and company so effectively that England did not score a try. Ireland's scrummaging against Wales was good. It will need to be equally so today.

The Irish half backs, Niall Hogan and David Humphreys, will have to use the ball effectively. Hogan's bravery will be an asset, as will his ability to take on the England back row and pressure his opposite number. However be must not allow himself to become isolated. Humphreys has the quality and the all round game to make a major contribution on a ground where, a few months ago, he scored 19 points in the Varsity match.

Simon Geoghegan's pace enabled him to score a memorable try in Twickenham two years ago, as it did a fortnight ago against Wales. He and Niall Woods could prosper on well placed, flighted kicks. Maurice Field and Jonathan Bell must shore up the middle of the field and exploit any chance that comes their way. This is an opportunity for Bell to deliver on the potential he showed last year, but which has been dormant this season.

Simon Mason, at tall back, will surely be tested early on by Grayson, as no doubt England full back Mike Catt will be by Humphreys. Mason can add weight to the attack, but his defensive reading must be acute. Mason also carries the place kicking responsibilities, and he is well capable of discharging that task to telling effect.

A month ago, Wales played very effectively against England, and but for a blocked kick by Guscott that led to seven points, they might well have shocked England. The tactical approach Wales revealed that afternoon exposed England's limitations.

Rowell has said that England must beware of Ireland's opening salvo. Let us hope Ireland produce it and find inspiration from it, as they did in 1994. What Ireland cannot afford is to give away scores in the opening 20 minutes. If England put distance between the sides, then they may try to decorate their performance with the creative flair they have tailed to produce so far this season.

They will want to bring Carling's reign as captain to a successful conclusion. He has made tee tabloid headlines this week for reasons outside the realm of rugby. Let us hope that the head lines after this match will tell of another Ireland performance of substance and depth at this ground.

The match represents a great challenge for Ireland, but is also a fine opportunity to end the season with victory. England may justify their rating as odds on favourites, but as Rowell has stated, Ireland will relish their role of being outsiders. Eighty minutes of application and concentration by Ireland could prove Rowell's fears to have been well founded.