Ireland vs. England: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Six Nations 2015 Preview
England's visit to Dublin on Sunday to face Ireland is being touted by many as a championship decider given both sides are unbeaten after two rounds of the 2015 Six Nations.
While such a label is slightly hyperbolic—the likes of France, Wales and Scotland are unlikely to be rolled over easily in the tournament's latter stages—it is certainly a hugely important fixture.
Sunday's victor will certainly be in pole position to win this year's tournament, perhaps with a valuable Grand Slam to take into the World Cup later this year.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Read on for a full preview of the Aviva Stadium clash, as well as scheduling, television and live streaming information.
Date: Sunday, March 1
Time: 3 p.m. GMT, 10 a.m. ET
TV Info: BBC 1 (UK), beIN Sports (US)
Live Stream: BBC iPlayer, beIN Sports Connect
Preview
England have arguably looked the best of the Six Nations sides so far in 2015's tournament, Stuart Lancaster's men claiming a brilliant win against Wales in Cardiff on opening day before thrashing Italy at Twickenham.
Ireland were far from their best in getting their own win against Italy and followed up with a try-less 18-11 victory over France a week later.
However, Joe Schmidt's men are all but guaranteed to up their game against England in front of a baying Dublin crowd.
Ireland's kicking game has rightly been marked as a potential deciding factor ahead of Sunday's match, per Daniel Schofield in The Telegraph.
Fly half Johnny Sexton returned to action with great effect against France, while scrum half Conor Murray is similarly devastating with the boot, per Rugby World's Charlie Morgan:
The effectiveness of the Irish half-backs' kicking game is increased by the sheer quality of their back three's chasing game, Tommy Bowe a particular menace in following up.
England's back three are likely then to come under huge pressure in Dublin, and it is an unfamiliar unit after Mike Brown was ruled out through injury and Johnny May was dropped, BBC Rugby Union providing the full team:
Ireland are going for a 10th consecutive Test win on Sunday and will not give England a moment's peace when they are on the ball.
However, Lancaster's team definitely have the ability to beat the Irish if they can control the game, as they showed in their impressive away win against Wales.
England's pack could hold the key as they have performed well of late despite numerous injury problems, but Paul O'Connell will provide a significant threat in the lineout.
In terms of creativity, England certainly have the edge based on Six Nations form.
They have found a centre combination in Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph which can cause significant problems to opposition defences, while Ireland's midfield have been strangely unimaginative thus far.
Sunday's match will surely be a very tight encounter, adding pressure to the goal-kicking of Sexton and George Ford, with only a few points set to separate the sides.
Ireland are the slight favourites for victory, home advantage giving them a key edge, but England will not be downed easily.
With the World Cup coming later this year, Sunday's clash sees arguably the northern hemisphere's two best teams going head to head.
An England win would surely spark talk of the current side repeating the trick of 2003, when Clive Woodward's side went on to win the World Cup following Grand Slam glory in the Six Nations.
An Ireland victory would see them into pole position for back-to-back championships, surely the perfect preparation for autumn's showpiece event.
There is a huge amount on the line, and Sunday is set to be a classic Six Nations encounter.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
