Paul O’Connell believes Ireland need to improve in all areas and keep a cool head if they are to beat England at Twickenham in Round 4 of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations.
Just a point currently separates second-placed Ireland and third-placed England in the Championship table, with both sides having won two matches and lost one.
Ireland beat both Wales and Italy with a bonus point at home in Rounds 1 and 3 respectively, but were defeated by current leaders France 30-24 in Paris in Round 2.
And three-times Championship title-winner O’Connell, who is now Ireland’s forwards coach, thinks Ireland will need to be on their game against a dangerous England side.
“We need to improve everywhere. We’re going away from home, we’re going to Twickenham with a full crowd. England I think are just bubbling and are just on the verge of a big performance so every part of what we do needs to be done better,” he said.
“We had opportunities at the weekend to score tries and we didn’t take them because of small little inaccuracies. We did that as well against France where I think we had opportunities but we didn’t deliver the kind of detail we have delivered when we have managed to put teams under pressure.
“I think one of the big things when we’re away from home is just being calm. That’s one of the big things for the lads. There’s never any lack of intent or passion or emotion when these boys play for Ireland, it’s just being calm on the big occasion.
“There isn’t any one particular area. Everything just needs to be a little more accurate.”
In their only previous match away from home against France, Ireland saw the better of play in the second half but a slow start in the opening stages proved costly.
Ireland were 10-0 down after six minutes at the Stade de France, and O’Connell is fully aware that it will once again be difficult for his side to prevail if they endure a similar start at Twickenham.
He said: “Everyone wants to start well. Unfortunately both teams can’t get a ten point lead. We did some things early on in that game which gave them access, things which were in our control.
“At the start of that game we exited poorly, had a really good kick-off take from Tadhg Beirne, exited with a poor kick and then we let them take a quick line-out. It was nothing special.
“After that it was a lovely pass on the inside from Ntamack and then the ruck penalty we gave away was in our control as well.
“We probably went to ground a little easily and were slow to get to the ball carrier, and that’s 10-0.
“10-0 away from home is a long way to come back, particularly against a side like France or a side like England at Twickenham. It’s an important part of the game, it’s one we’re always trying to get right.
“If you can get that lead early on, it puts you in a great place.”
