it's woodward's mix and match

WE ARE going to have to ride out a ferocious Irish storm at Lansdowne Road tomorrow to keep our Grand Slam hopes alive. I am part of the same England pack that beat world champions South Africa and we intend to prove the doubters wrong against the Irish and show we still have the ability to impose ourselves on any opposition.

Ireland have a strong pack, made up of players who enjoy battering into the opposition, and no one is going to take a backward step.

We did underperform in the win over Scotland and this is our chance to put things right. Everyone involved in the squad is aware of the criticism we received after Twickenham, and we have been just as critical, because this squad has set very high standards. We won well in Dublin two years ago but it wasn't until the final 20 minutes that the tries came. Up to that point it was a very physical contest and the Irish selection for this game shows they intend to carry the ball to us all day. It is often said that the Irish are a great side for 60 minutes and then blow up in the last quarter, but under Warren Gatland, their New Zealand coach, that has not been the case this season and they held out well for victory against Wales at Wembley. Really, it doesn't matter what kind of season Ireland are having, playing at Lansdowne Road is always a formidable prospect. The fact that they have just defeated Wales makes it even harder and we are very keen to atone for the mistakes against Scotland. We have reviewed the Scotland game you must always step back and analyse the problem areas - and it was obvious that we became predictable when trying to attack with slow ball. Ireland are on a high and you only have to look at my two team- mates at Saracens, Irish captain Paddy Johns and prop Paul Wallace, to see just what England rugby coach Clive Woodward knows only too well the Irish represent a real danger to his Grand Slam and World Cup hopes an effect this season has had. They are really enjoying being part of the Irish set-up, they appear to be getting on well as a squad and a lot of their players have enjoyed success at club, provincial and Test levels. Ireland are building for the future and the fact that everyone is happy makes it all the more dangerous for us tomorrow. I have to put out of my mind for the 80 minutes that Paddy and Wally are club colleagues and we can have a chat about the game after the final whistle. People are making too much about what numbers Lawrence Dallaglio and I have on our backs in the game. We know what's required in given situations and we have played together for some time as a back-row unit. My only concern is to ensure that I play my part in producing a performance of real intensity and commitment, the kind of power and pace that helped us beat South Africa. That is what will be needed against Ireland.

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