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How English rugby writers and pundits are viewing Ireland

With just over 48 hours to go before Ireland and England lock horns at the Aviva Stadium, most of...



How English rugby writers and...
Rugby

How English rugby writers and pundits are viewing Ireland

With just over 48 hours to go before Ireland and England lock horns at the Aviva Stadium, most of what could have been said has been said already.

But here's how pundits and the English press see Ireland before Sunday's Six Nations match. 

BBC Sport pundit and ex-England centre Jeremy Guscott says "the Irish team are like German engineering" as he analyses their efficiency. Clearly impressed with Joe Schmidt's side he sees Sunday's match as an even contest between a strong Irish collective against an England that has a few more individuals with "X-Factor".

Meanwhile, The Guardian's Robert Kitson suggests that England's 2012 victory "has not entirely faded" for Ireland.

The Telegraph's Brian Moore picked out a couple of things, namely Ireland's work at the breakdown, Paul O'Connell's ability to disrupt and Jonny Sexton's world class control and kicking.

But he also had his say about the style of Joe Schmidt's side, saying: "If Ireland want to kick on from where they ended their autumn campaign and be genuine contenders for the World Cup they need to show a more all-round attacking ability."

In the same paper, Daniel Schofield also put emphasis on underlining the strength of Ireland's kicking and chasing. 

However, The Independent's Chris Hewett makes a pointed observation about Sexton in an interview with the Racing Metro man's opposite number on Sunday, George Ford.

"Sexton’s marksmanship is up there in the O’Gara class, although he has yet to develop the Munsterman’s cruel streak when it comes to knocking over last-minute drop goals." 

Perhaps, Sunday is the perfect day for Sexton to start scoring game-winning drop goals, eh? 

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