Playing a match at Twickenham against England presents a significant challenge for our team, Ireland. Our upcoming game against England is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 9th of March at Twickenham Stadium in London at 16:45 GMT.
Reflecting on our last year’s match against England in the Six Nations, despite clinching the Grand Slam, it was a closely contested match. A red card for England’s Freddie Steward and a tense ending resulted in a hard-fought victory for us. Despite recent successes against England, playing at Twickenham always proves to be a formidable challenge due to the passionate home support.
Twickenham exudes a certain aura and its electrifying atmosphere makes it an exceptional venue for rugby. The energetic fans and intimidating atmosphere create a daunting environment. While winning there is an incredible feeling, it is never an easy feat, especially against a strong and motivated English side.
In light of recent changes in England’s playing style, they are expected to present a new challenge. Despite their struggles in adopting an attack-focused strategy, we must not underestimate their team’s potential. Therefore, only a top-level performance from Ireland will be sufficient to secure a victory.
Reflecting on our last match against Wales, we began strongly but allowed them to regain momentum in the second half. Our team recognizes the importance of minimizing penalties and maintaining discipline while playing at Twickenham. While we have demonstrated confidence and capability in previous games, we understand the need to continually strive for improvement.
Furthermore, England possesses strong elements in their game such as a formidable scrum, a robust line-out, and a dynamic back row. We must focus on controlling these aspects of their game to prevent them from building momentum and causing problems for our team.
As we approach the upcoming match, the entire team is focused on executing our game plan and delivering a strong performance. Winning this game could potentially set us up for a shot at the Grand Slam against Scotland.
In conclusion, we are anticipating a tough battle at Twickenham and are prepared to face the challenge head-on. The excitement and anticipation for this showdown against England is palpable, and our team is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our abilities and secure a positive result.
Rob Herring was in dialogue with BBC Sport NI’s Matt Gault.