WHEN Ireland play England in the International Championship at Lansdowne Road this afternoon, it will be a renewal of a rivalry first fashioned on this day 122 years ago and in that respect, a celebration of the rugby heritage of both nations. And while familiarity may, at times, breed contempt, in the context of this match it has induced considerable respect - a point being made consistently throughout the week by the players and officials of both sides.
Quite apart from the two championship points at stake and the fact that the Triple Crown is still a tangible target for both countries, embraced within the game are several other factors that add considerably to the occasion.
The professional era in rugby union has changed many elements of the game. And while up to this season, most of the players on an Ireland side would be playing their club rugby at home, those days are gone and now most of the Ireland players have taken their talents to English clubs. Many of them this afternoon will be in opposition to their club mates. As an illustration of this, Bristol, Leicester, Harlequins, Saracens, Northampton and Newcastle will all be represented on both teams. This adds an extra dimension to the scene.
But the familiarity extends beyond the playing arena. Two men who, not so long ago, were united in a common cause, will be in direct opposition. A few years ago, the Ireland coach Brian Ashton and Jack Rowell, of England, were side by side in the cause of the Bath club. Today they will be seeking to outwit each other with the strategies they will devise in pursuit of the victory that will keep alive their Triple Crown hopes and, in England's case, Grand Slam ambitions.
They enjoyed great success with Bath as they harnessed an immensely talented collection of players into a potent force before Rowell took over the England coaching role in 1994. Ashton carried on the Bath success story before parting company with the club a few months ago and turned his attention and perception to the Ireland cause.
The Ashton Rowell rivalry adds a further intriguing aspect to the match. Rowell has been criticised for his conservative methods and not trusting talent as it deserves to be trusted. Ashton, in contrast, in his very short tenure with the Ireland side, has been rightly acclaimed for what he has achieved and the belief and tactical awareness he has brought to the team.
He laid out his philosophy from the moment he took over the onerous task of coaching Ireland and that was to base his tactics on the strengths in the side and not ask the players to go outside the range of their talents. They, in turn, have remained faithful to his precepts even if concentration and application slipped somewhat in the closing stages against France and to some extent, but not to a fatal degree, against Wales. But a losing sequence imposes its own psychological burdens when the winning post is in sight. The Irish players have now broken free from the shackles that recurring loss imposes.
England go into the match as the warmest of favourites, an understandable rating bearing in mind the level of success they have enjoyed in the championship if not on the world stage in recent years. If the methods they employed in pursuit of that success have not been appealing to everyone and they have failed to charm their supporters, remorseless strength in action has served its purpose.
We could have a match today to set beside the best between these two old rivals. Had this encounter been scheduled a fortnight ago, not many would have given Ireland much hope of victory. But like many a personal relationship and the fortunes of war, the Five Nations' series can be erratic.
The ability to be focused, to be tough and at times be destructive and disruptive, has seen Ireland beat many a superior force through the years as they induced awe and fear among opponents - shades of 1993 at Lansdowne Road when England were overwhelming favourites and lost 17-3. Ireland went to Twickenham the following year and did it again, this time by 13-12.
This afternoon Ireland will need to be a positive force yet again with all the traditional fire. It is worth noting, too, that 10 of the England team will be experiencing the international atmosphere at Lansdowne Road for the first time. But with Ashton at the helm, Ireland should be able to add the touches of subtlety and awareness, which were evident in Cardiff to the traditional passion.
The win in Cardiff has been of immense value and changed the perspective of the championship and elevated the level of expectation for Ireland. But as the captain Jim Staples has stressed, it has not in any way lessened the task Ireland will face. Rowell has also stressed that organisation has been added to Ireland's traditional passion. He has called on England to start as they finished in the win over Scotland a fortnight ago. It is imperative that Ireland do not allow that to happen. Rowell's philosophy has been basically absorb, impose and penetrate. Ireland must not allow them to impose the pattern of the game or give them the opportunity to penetrate.
The decorative part of England's performance at Twickenham a fortnight ago came in the closing stages when, after they established control, they subdued the Scots. So from the outset today the Irish forwards must take on the opposition in every phase of play. If the English pack gets on top and is allowed to drive forward and make ground with the maul, then they will indeed impose themselves and no doubt penetrate.
I believe the Irish pack has the means to match and measure the opposition and yield nothing to them in the set pieces. Jeremy Davidson is emerging as one of the best second row forwards in the championship and Eric Miller who played so well against France and even better in Cardiff, could play a crucial role this afternoon.
David Corkery made a welcome return to form against the Welsh and Denis McBride, while not as well endowed physically as many of the current crop of back row forwards, is still very good at winning the ball on the ground; that could be important. The back row will be a key area in the forward battle and Lawrence Dallaglio, Tim Rodber and Richard Hill must not be allowed any freedom. If Ireland can gain an advantage in the loose, get quick ruck ball and hold England in the mauls, then immense benefits can accrue.
The England half backs, Andy Gomersall and Paul Grayson, will surely be kept under close surveillance and must be closed down quickly. Gomersall is not the best tactical kicker in the business. The less time he is given, the more erratic that kicking may become. Ireland's midfield defence was excellent against France and Wales and will need to be equally good today. Maurice Field and Jonathan Bell must not allow Will Carling and Philip de Glanville any freedom or miss any tackles.
Denis Hickie made a fine debut against Wales and with that experience behind him, should be a match for Tony Underwood. On the other wing, James Topping cannot allow any defensive lapses against Jon Sleightholme, who got a very good try against Ireland last season.
Eric Elwood is a key man. If he is given the service from the pack and his partner Niall Hogan (whose tackling against Wales was outstanding), then Elwood has the ability and the perception to vary his game to telling effect. Ashton will have provided the necessary guidance. Jim Staples has the speed to add to the attacking capacity of the side and his break for Hickie's try in Cardiff revealed creativity and pace.
The interpretations of referee Colin Hawke, of New Zealand, will be important as will place kicking. Both teams have the kickers to take advantage of opportunity in that area, so indiscipline and the concession of penalties within kicking range could prove costly.
England go into the match as favourites, but by no means the overwhelming favourites they would have been but for events in Cardiff. That win has surely brought a new belief to this Ireland side - they get a great opportunity before their own supporters now to add substance to it.
This Ireland team has the capacity to defy the odds yet again. The blueprint of 1993 is still on the table, augmented by a perceptive strategist, who is so well aware of the strengths and weaknesses in the opposing ranks from his long involvement in England.
The commitment to a cause must come from the heart and, in the belief that it will, Ireland may well record another famous victory and send us off to Murrayfield in pursuit of a Triple Crown, and the realisation of what would have been deemed an impossible dream a few weeks ago.
