6N: Hartley back among 7 changes for England vs Ireland
LONDON (AP) Twickenham was scheduled to stage a fitting finale on Saturday. England and Ireland in a Grand Slam showdown featuring the teams who shared the last four Six Nations.
Instead, England has come home from Scotland and France stripped of its crown.
Ireland rule undefeated, and come to Twickenham attempting to cap its coronation by securing only a third ever Grand Slam, on St. Patrick's Day to boot.
Usually it's England shooting for the Grand Slam, four times just since 2011. Twice they were denied in Dublin, including last year.
That defeat by 13-9, a margin which flattered the English, prevented them from two rare feats: Consecutive Grand Slams plus a record 19th successive test win for a tier one team.
After that defeat, coach Eddie Jones spoke to Fuso, the Japanese parent company of England sponsor Mitsubishi, about losing to the ''scummy Irish.''
He added: ''I'm still dirty about that game. We will get that back, don't worry. We have them next year at home.''
Well, next year at home is here, and the state of both teams suggests England won't get it back. Consecutive losses in Edinburgh and Paris have showed up a side whose progress stalled last year and is diminishing in this one. England has been ill-disciplined, shoddy, clueless, predictable, still needy for an openside flanker, and attracting nothing but trouble.
Jones had to apologize this week for the ''scummy Irish'' comments which came to light via video, and an assistant referee for the match, Marius van der Westhuizen of South Africa, had to be replaced by Nigel Owens. World Rugby says it mistakenly permitted Van der Westhuizen to attend England training on Tuesday then withdrew him from the match to prevent any conflict of interest.
The heave-ho was as assertive as Ireland has been at the breakdown, the source of victory these days.
In beating France, Italy, Wales, and Scotland, the Irish have been efficient at cleaning out the rucks, slowing down opposition ball, and drawing penalties. The likes of Dan Leavy, captain Rory Best, Cian Healy, and James Ryan have muscled up defensively and disrupted opponents.
But perhaps, most surprisingly, inside center Bundee Aki led Ireland's contributions at rucks against Scotland last weekend. He was first to a breakdown 16 times and had a positive effect at half of them.
Then again, Aki, lock Ryan, wing Jacob Stockdale, and prop Andrew Porter have fit seamlessly into the Irish setup in their first championship, and proved their test credentials. Notably, Stockdale is the first player in 104 years to score multiple tries in three straight Six Nations games.
It has helped that Ireland has played to a blueprint. Control ball and territory, expertly kick and chase, wear down opponents, and finish strong. Everyone bar Italy has had to make more than 200 tackles. Italy made less because its defense wasn't up to par.
Twickenham, where the Irish haven't won since 2010, holds less fear for them than failing to pull off the Grand Slam.
''We don't want to wake up on Sunday being happy (as champions), but sad as well,'' No. 8 CJ Stander says. ''We've got an opportunity and we want to take it, but we know it's not going to be easy.''
Neither is England's ability to fix its problems. Jones doesn't think he'll get the breakdowns resolved until the Rugby World Cup next year.
Without a specialist No. 7, he's recalled James Haskell, who hasn't started at No. 7 for England since the Ireland loss a year ago.
He's dropped halves Danny Care and George Ford and forwards Dan Cole and Joe Launchbury. A team half changed has little time to find a groove and inspiration against a settled and confident Irish side.
''We will be more focused on showing pride than stopping Ireland,'' wing Jonny May says. ''It is not a case of stopping them.''
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Lineups:
Ireland: Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; CJ Stander, Dan Leavy, Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (captain), Cian Healy. Reserves: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Jordi Murphy, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.
England: Anthony Watson, Jonny May, Jonathan Joseph, Ben Te'o, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Sam Simmonds, James Haskell, Chris Robshaw, George Kruis, Maro Itoje, Kyle Sinckler, Dylan Hartley (captain), Mako Vunipola. Reserves: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Don Armand, Danny Care, George Ford, Mike Brown.
