Six Nations: Winning the only option as England eye history

Eddie Jones’s men head to Dublin for the climax to the tournament against Ireland in search of two special prizes.

Victory at the Aviva Stadium today would deliver the first back-to-back Grand Slams of the Six Nations era and eclipse New Zealand’s record of 18 consecutive Test wins.

Whatever the outcome they will be presented with the trophy after last weekend’s rout of Scotland confirmed them as champions.

But Youngs knows from personal experience that can be a bitter-sweet moment.

The Leicester scrum-half was present in 2011 when England were crushed 24-8 in Dublin, the silverware presented that night unable to heal the wound opened by an unrealised Grand Slam.

“Winning the Grand Slam is so big because it’s very hard to do. Also it doesn’t seem right to lose a game and then go and get a trophy. It just doesn’t seem right,” said Youngs.

“That’s one of the main reasons that, when we came off against Scotland, we moved straight on to Ireland.

“Although we have the title, we don’t feel like we’ve won it yet and it won’t feel like that unless we get the result we want on Saturday.

“The thought of being defeated and going up to get a trophy….it just wouldn’t feel right.

“That night in 2011 was a strange one.

“It wouldn’t feel right, but you shouldn’t use that as a fear, but as a motivation. We’re just solely focused on getting the result and then everything that comes with that is great.”

Jones has stated that “greatness” awaits England if they become only the sixth side to manage successive clean sweeps and Youngs has urged his team-mates to rise to the occasion.

“We’ve got to embrace it. Eddie spoke really well when he addressed the side on Sunday evening about that chance to make that step,” added Youngs. “One of the things was that the chance to win back-to-back Grand Slams will probably never happen, potentially, for any of us again. So why waste that opportunity?

“He said the last thing we want to do is use that as a negative thing and hold us back in any way, shape or form.

“All this week has been about attacking it, embracing it, and getting excited about it. Our motivation is huge. We’ve got a chance to win back-to-back Grand Slams.

“A chance, as Eddie put it, to put ourselves as a team that people potentially see as a great side. That should be an enormous motivation.

“I see our motivation and desire to win the game as probably higher than Ireland’s because we have got so much to win.”

England’s strongest side may not play together again until next year’s Six Nations with Jones previously stating he will rest those players involved in the impending British and Irish Lions’ tour from autumn duty.

The return of Billy Vunipola and Anthony Watson has restored them to the brink of full strength and they enter the final hurdle against Ireland enthused by a 61-21 mauling of Scotland – arguably their best performance under Jones.

“What we have is an unbelievable amount of clarity around how we want to play. With clarity you get belief and with belief you then just stick to that game plan,” said Youngs.

“You don’t need to go off script or pull rabbits out of hats because everyone has belief within the plan, within the structure.

“We’ve prepared very nicely this week on the back of a good result. We’ll be working hard and making sure we’re well equipped to be where we need to be.

“Those first 20 minutes are going to be vital for us and we’ll put a massive emphasis on making sure we get those early exchanges right.”

Dylan Hartley and Will Carling, meanwhile, have been exchanging messages as England’s captains past and present focus on a slice of history.

Carling was captain in 1992 when the Red Rose last won back-to-back Grand Slams.

“Will Carling has been texting me, telling me how great he was,” Hartley said. “I also spoke to Martin Bayfield and I had no idea he was part of that team. He’s not one to go around telling everyone.

“Will reminded me on Thursday morning.”

When asked whether becoming only the sixth team in Championship history to defend the Grand Slam would represent greatness, as claimed by Jones, Hartley responded: “You can’t call yourself great. Other people can.”