England will be faced with the opportunity to do exactly to Ireland what they did to them last year on Saturday; prevent them from winning a Grand Slam.
Eddie Jones’ men may not have a title to play for but they do have a proud record at Twickenham to protect and will be highly motivated to mute any St Patrick’s Day celebrations by claiming victory.
Ireland on the other hand are on the cusp of dispelling that ‘underachiever’ tag they have been carrying around. A landmark win against England on their soil will do it.
Here, Nik Simon assesses the form of both sides ahead of the vital clash at Twickenham.
Owen Farrell is key to England’s chances of winning. World’s best player in his best position
ENGLAND
15 Anthony Watson 5.5
Once compared to a Maserati by Eddie Jones – but suffered a car crash in Paris with yellow card and penalty try.
14 Jonny May 6
His Olympic sprinting pace has been wasted as England struggle to get the ball into the wide channels.
13 Jonathan Joseph 5
Challenged to get the attack on the ‘front foot’ but has shown little to strike fear into the Irish defence.
Jonathan Joseph has shown little this Six Nations to strike fear into the Irish defence
12 Ben Te’o 5.5
A meeting of muscle between the two Kiwi No 12s. Previously went head to head with Aki at interpro level in Ireland.
11 Elliot Daly 6
Questions over his fitness after being forced to wear a protective boot on his foot at the start of the week.
10 Owen Farrell 8.5
World’s best player shifted to his best position after defences worked out the 10-12 axis with George Ford.
9 Richard Wigglesworth 6
First Six Nations start in a decade as Jones seeks a steady operator behind a struggling breakdown.
1 Mako Vunipola 7
Solid scrum was one of the few positives in Paris but the Saracens heavyweight is showing signs of fatigue.
Mako Vunipola was one of the few positives in France defeat but is showing signs of fatigue
2 Dylan Hartley 5
Lucky to earn an immediate recall from injury after Jamie George delivered a solid display at the set piece.
3 Kyle Sinckler 6
Hot-head front-row unleashed to kick start the pack with livewire energy and powerful ball carrying.
4 Maro Itoje 6
Needs to reinvent his breakdown presence after law changes curtailed his effectiveness as a counter-rucker.
5 George Kruis 5
Curveball selection ahead of Joe Launchbury because of his brainchild lineout work with Steve Borthwick.
6 Chris Robshaw 7
Enjoying a quiet renaissance in the back-row and will be more comfortable after shift back to No 6.
Chris Robshaw (right) is enjoying a quiet renaissance in the back-row for England
7 James Haskell 6.5
Unemployed at the end of the season but still backed to smash the rucks and clear out Irish jackalers.
8 Sam Simmonds 7
A pocket rocket ball carrier who was enjoying a meteoric rise from obscurity before being struck by injury against Wales.
IRELAND
15-Rob Kearney 8
One of two survivors, alongside Best, from the 2009 Grand Slam campaign. Bidding for a fifth crown.
14-Keith Earls 8
Turned down a move to Saracens last year. Pint-sized winger who ‘fights like a rat in a corner’.
13-Garry Ringrose 7.5
Emerged from the same school as Brian O’Driscoll and blessed with a similar ability to weave holes in midfield.
12-Bundee Aki 8
A former bank cashier from New Zealand who straightens the attack and has the physicality of a flanker.
11-Jacob Stockdale 8.5
Level with Will Greenwood, Shane Williams and Chris Ashton as the only player to score six tries in the Six Nations.
Jacob Stockdale is only the fourth player to score six tries in the Six Nations
10-Johnny Sexton 8.5
Game-time management between Leinster and Ireland has helped the ringmaster get back to his best.
9-Conor Murray 8.5
World’s best box kicker will look to Test England’s new-look back-three with an aerial bombardment.
1-Cian Healy 7
Controversially passed fit to play after stumbling around the pitch against Scotland following a blow to the head.
2-Rory Best 7
Calmness personified as captain – backed by Warren Gatland to lead the midweek Lions team in New Zealand.
3-Tadhg Furlong 8.5
The ‘Tullow Tank’ provides an anchor in the scrum and is a 20-stone battering ram with ball in hand.
Tadhg Furlong provides an anchor in the scrum and is a 20-stone battering ram with the ball
4-James Ryan 8.5
Tipped to become the next Paul O’Connell. Unbeaten in his first 18 games of professional rugby.
5-Iain Henderson 7
A powerful enforcer who infamously flattened South African giant Eben Etzebeth in November.
6-Peter O’Mahony 7.5
Man of the match in Dublin last year after killing off England’s Grand Slam bid with a late lineout steal.
8-CJ Stander 8.5
Top of the Six Nations statistics with 72 carries – 27 more than England’s leader Chris Robshaw.
7-Dan Leavy 7.5
Built like Wallaby David Pocock and has been one of Ireland’s most powerful breakdown operators.
Dan Leavy Built has been one of Ireland’s most powerful breakdown operators