A view of the game from some players
Leo Cullen Leicester and Ireland A captain
How do you beat England?
In the last couple of games against them, Ireland have managed to create and exploit the space out wide. There are definitely tries to be scored in these areas because England don't defend as well there as they do between the two 15-metre lines. They are very strong close in so you have to get them trying to plug the wider channels, where physique is not the same central issue as it is around the fringes.
What are the key match-ups player-wise?
Ireland will need some decent set-piece ball and that's going to be difficult. Even if Jonny Wilkinson plays, I think Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy can shade the midfield battle. O'Driscoll's return is a huge fillip and it can give them an edge.
Is the hoopla surrounding Croke Park and the anthems a millstone for the Ireland players?
The French game will have got a lot of it out of their systems. It's tough to win in a new stadium and Ireland have had to give up "home advantage". The comfort factor becomes ingrained in your psyche and it's hard to replicate that in a new stadium. France understood the significance of Croke Park and were definitely up for it and in talking to the English players, they're relishing the opportunity to play there.
Who will win the match and why?
Ireland. The key to victory is to generate momentum from the start. Against Wales and France, the Irish team started slowly. If you put a travelling team on the back foot from the start, then it becomes difficult for them in an unfamiliar environment, faced by a passionate crowd who generate the requisite noise levels because their team is going well. Ireland will need to get the basics right, down to the restarts, which have become an important factor in the modern game. They can stretch England in the wide channels provided they get front-foot possession and start quickly.
Paul Wallace Ex-Lions, Ireland, Saracens and Leinster prop
How do you beat England?
In Ireland's two most recent victories, both at Twickenham, they made a mess of the English lineout and that was a major factor. I don't think the English lineout will malfunction to the same degree so Ireland will have to look elsewhere. They have the edge in ingenuity in midfield and have to exploit that. England will be more vulnerable out wide than in the inside channels, where their big men will look to make the hits.
What are the key match-ups player-wise?
I think Shane Horgan is a key player in that his placing on the right wing gives Ireland several options from cross-kicks to getting him to work with Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy through the midfield channel. England will target the scrum but the presence of the less destructive Phil Vickery over Julian White won't help them. The English hooker George Chuter is a reliable lineout thrower so Ireland are going to have to work hard to pinch ball here.
Is the hoopla surrounding Croke Park and the anthems a millstone for the Ireland players?
I can't remember the name of the player (who said it) but I thought his point was well made: there is only so much a player can "get up" for a game. The significance of where you play a match has a bearing but again only up to a point. You have to go out and win the match; the stadium's not going to do it. The English will know all about the venue and I think it'll spur them on. The issues are more for the supporters and for Ireland, the priority lies with being relaxed, focused and starting quickly.
Who will win the match and why?
Ireland. This England team have improved but . . . haven't endured anything like the examination they're going to get today. The Irish have something to prove, and with the return of O'Driscoll and Horgan moving to the wing, the balance of the team looks better.
David Quinlan Northampton and Ireland A
How do you beat England?
It depends on which England team turns up, the one that played against Scotland or the one that struggled against Italy. The Italians demonstrated that when you hang on to the ball and stop kicking it away you can put England under pressure. Ireland will need to keep the tempo and intensity up and they'll find a few holes through the midfield or out wide.
What are the key match-ups player-wise?
The battle at halfback will be very interesting. Jonny Wilkinson's performance in his first game back after three years against Scotland was simply phenomenal. He's a seriously talented player who's the focal point of most of his side's attacking gambits.
Harry Ellis got a lot of change out of Scotland's fringe defence and will need to be watched. When Ronan O'Gara plays well then Ireland do too and Peter Stringer has a similar effect. If they're prominent then it'll be a good sign.
Is the hoopla surrounding Croke Park and the anthems a millstone for the Ireland players?
I attended the French game and noticed the venue and all the hype surrounding the match definitely had an effect on the Irish players. I think they have got that out of their systems at this stage and won't be anywhere near as inhibited this time. I wouldn't expect them to start slowly this time. It's about a game of rugby and that's the way the players have to treat it.
Who will win the match and why?
Ireland. They are the better team and if they can pull themselves a little closer to levels they hit in the November Test series, then they'll prove this today. England have made a step up but they're not yet at the level at which this Ireland team are currently capable of playing. It'll be reasonably close but I hope and expect Ireland to have a little bit too much for the visitors.
Emmet Byrne Ex-Leinster and Ireland
How do you beat England?
The key today will be competing up front with intensity and aggression. Ireland don't even need to get parity up front to win but they do need to be solid at set-pieces. The midfield combination of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy with cameos from Shane Horgan will be given more time and space because England operate a drift defence. The French played a hard-up, rush defence. The English style will give the most dangerous Irish players time on the ball.
What are the key match-ups player wise?
The battle at scrumhalf is going to be fascinating. Harry Ellis got to Peter Stringer during Leicester's game against Munster, harassing him. How Stringer deals with his combative opponent and the protection the Irish scrumhalf gets from his pack in terms of cleaning out ball will be crucial. Ellis will exploit gaps on the fringes. Marcus Horan has traditionally done well against Phil Vickery but Ireland do need to concentrate on the set-pieces because this is an area England will feel they can get the upper hand.
Is the hoopla surrounding Croke Park and the anthems a millstone for the Ireland players?
Ireland received a harsh lessons against the French and I think that will stand to them. They were slow out of the blocks. Playing at home won't win this game, it'll come down to a performance on the day. Ireland are aware of this and I'd expect them to start strongly.
Who will win the match and why?
Ireland. There is more variation to their game. England have made some decent inroads into where they need to go but they're not at the level that Ireland can claim at this point. The sums of the parts in an Irish context make them the more potent force. Individually there isn't much to choose between a lot of the players but Ireland are the more capable team at the moment.
