Irish Challenge just what England need, insists coach Rowntree

Five months ago, England had their grand slam ambitions shattered at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland produced a ferocious performance to win 24-8.

Martin Johnson’s 30-man squad return to Dublin this weekend to complete their World Cup preparations having beaten Wales at home and then lost in frustrating fashion in Cardiff. But now there is something on the line and Rowntree believes another defeat to Ireland would leave England under pressure going into the World Cup.

With Ireland in a similar boat having lost to Scotland and twice to France over the last three weeks, there should be no shortage of intensity on show.

Just a fortnight before England open their World Cup campaign against Argentina in Dunedin, that is exactly what Rowntree wants.

“This game is definitely not a friendly,” he said.

“We have not forgotten what they did to us over there. We got well beaten that day and that is in the back of our minds.

“It will be fuelling our fires at the weekend, that’s for sure.

“That’s the beauty of playing a game like this against Ireland so close to getting on the plane.

“We are purposely playing this close to the World Cup so we get on the plane battle hardened. That means coming off the back of an intense game with a win.

“We were frustrated with that loss in Wales. You only had to look at the gaffer’s (Johnson’s) face after the game. I’d think Ireland are disappointed with their losses so far.

“If we lose it will put a bit of pressure on us. It would be nothing we can’t handle – but it will put a bit of pressure on us for sure.”

England failed to live with Ireland’s intensity in the Six Nations meeting and that performance gave Johnson, Rowntree and the management some serious food for thought.

“They brought an intensity to the game, to the breakdown and set piece that they hadn’t really brought all tournament. They saved that one for us,” said Rowntree.

“We have had a good look at that video in the training camp and it has given us a few things to work on.”

England fielded mix-and-match teams against Wales but Rowntree confirmed they plan to name their strongest available team to tackle Ireland.

Loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan is in line to make his first appearance of the warm-up campaign after recovering from summer shoulder surgery.

But England will be without squad captain Lewis Moody and scrum-half Ben Youngs, who remain sidelined as they continue their comeback from knee injuries.

Uncapped Wasps No 9 Joe Simpson is set to make his Test debut at scrum-half.

James Haskell yesterday underwent a scan on a ‘minor foot injury’.