BRIAN O’DRISCOLL: Marcus Smith is electrical and can trigger all kinds of issues whereas Johnny Sexton stays a superb operator… whereas I really like what Freddie Steward and Hugo Keenan supply
- I really like the way in which Marcus Smith already understands the area on the pitch
- Johnny Sexton is a scholar of the sport and he is aware of the sport plan so nicely
- It’s totally uncommon that two tightheads are amongst your crew’s finest ball gamers
- Freddie Steward is doing all the proper issues and I really like what Hugo Keenan presents
England can be seeking to trigger an upset when Eire go to Twickenham on Saturday afternoon.
Right here, Sportsmail seems to be on the key clashes that may very well be the deciding components in who comes out on prime on this essential Six Nations conflict.
Marcus Smith v Johnny Sexton
I really like the way in which Smith already understands the area on the pitch and has an innate potential to get himself out of hassle. If some No 10s make the mistaken name then they get devoured up, however Smith’s footwork will get him out of difficult conditions.
Marcus Smith (left) is electrical and can pose issues and Johnny Sexton (proper) is an excellent operator
It is nonetheless early in his profession and I feel he’ll grow to be a superb participant. If there was a Lions tour this summer time, he would in all probability be the No 10 as a result of I doubt they’d choose a 36-year-old.
But Johnny’s getting higher with age. He is a scholar of the sport and he is aware of the sport plan so nicely. He is come away from the time when he would take the ball to the road and put himself within the hazard zone. As a substitute, he offers it earlier and does not go away himself open to huge collisions.
Kyle Sinckler vs Tadhg Furlong
It’s totally uncommon that you’ve two tightheads who’re amongst your crew’s finest ball gamers. It is uncommon you could have that stage of ability in your entrance row.
Jason Leonard would say how he’d play a sport with out touching the ball. There’s been an evolution in props. Sinckler and Furlong are so comfy with the ball and passing it out.
There are some massive duels within the pack — Tom Curry v Josh van der Flier, Maro Itoje v James Ryan — however I am excited to see the 2 props.
The twin between Kyle Snickler (left) and Tadhg Furlong (proper) may very well be an thrilling one
Freddie Steward vs Hugo Keenan
Since his debut final 12 months Freddie Steward is doing all the proper issues and I really like what Hugo Keenan presents. His work fee is phenomenal. He pushes gamers out to show a four-on-four assault to a five-on-four assault. His engine is his USP. He is tremendous match and his numbers are by way of the roof.
For a man who did not are available in with main expectations, he is broke by way of because the substitute for Rob Kearney and gazumped anybody else who was going for that 15 jersey.
Verdict: I agree with Eddie Jones. Eire are marginal favourites.
Freddie Steward (left) does the proper issues and Hugo Keenan’s (proper)work fee is phenomenal
