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Rugby Union Showdown: Ireland Seek Grand Slam Glory at Twickenham
As reported by BBC Rugby Union on March 8, 2024, the highly anticipated Six Nations clash between England and undefeated Ireland is set to take place at Twickenham on Saturday. The bookies have installed Ireland as heavy favorites, with England given odds of 4-1 to pull off the upset.
Ireland have been in scintillating form, recording three convincing victories so far in this campaign, while England have barely scraped through their matches against Italy and Wales before suffering a defeat in Edinburgh. A win for Ireland would also make them the first side to secure 12 consecutive victories in the Six Nations championship.
The forward battle is expected to be the key battleground, with Ireland’s hooker Dan Sheehan, the top try-scorer in this year’s tournament, set to go head-to-head with England captain Jamie George. Sheehan has been the driving force behind Ireland’s dominant pack and set-piece, and England will need to find a way to disrupt his throwing in the lineouts.
The scrum-half duel between England’s Jack Mitchell and Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park promises to be equally captivating. Mitchell, making a return from a knee injury, will be looking to inject pace and tempo into England’s attack, mirroring the high-octane approach of his Irish counterpart.
At full-back, England’s Freddie Steward has been left out again, with the selectors preferring the in-form Furbank, who possesses the pace and attacking instincts that the coaches desire. However, he will have his hands full trying to contain Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, widely regarded as the best full-back in the northern hemisphere.
This clash of the titans promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Ireland seeking to solidify their claim for a Grand Slam triumph, while England will be desperate to stop their campaign from unraveling. The outcome of these key individual battles could ultimately decide the fate of the match and the championship.
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