After suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time under Eddie Jones, England will look to bounce back against Ireland in the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations at Twickenham on Super Saturday.
The England head coach is set to name the squad who will attempt to dash Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes at 9.15am on Thursday.
Here’s our look at the main talking points ahead of that announcement.
Will Armand solve England’s breakdown issues?
With England ineffective at the breakdown against France, Jones has called on Don Armand from Exeter Chiefs in the absence of injured pair Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes.
Those injuries in the back row may have forced Jones’ hand, but Armand’s presence could be pivotal to England getting back on track and upsetting Ireland’s party.
Certainly, if the game is decided at the breakdown – as many are predicting – then England will have to counter Ireland’s impressive work in and around the contact area.
CJ Stander has been in impressive form for the champions, with Peter O’Mahony and newcomer Dan Leavy also influential, so England’s selection will be crucial.
James Haskell could be another player Jones decides to recall to the starting XV after making an influential cameo in the latter stages against France, while Sam Simmonds could be in line to start his third game of the Championship.
Who will captain the side?
Dylan Hartley was ruled out of England’s defeat against France with a tight calf, with Owen Farrell captaining the team in his absence for the first time.
Hartley has been ever-present under head coach Jones, starting all but one of his 26 Tests in charge, and his leadership on the field was missed against Les Bleus.
The Northampton Saints hooker has been declared fit for Saturday’s clash, so looks likely to take over the captaincy from Farrell and be thrown straight back into the team.
Will there be more changes to the backline?
Eddie Jones made radical changes for the game in Paris, dropping Mike Brown at full-back in favour of Anthony Watson, who shifted across from the wing.
His vacancy was filled by Elliot Daly, while the power of Ben Te’o was preferred at outside centre over Bath’s Jonathan Joseph.
More changes could follow this week as England look to sharpen up their attacking game against Ireland. Brown is a contender to return to the fold, while Daly has been passed fit after looking a doubt for the game due to a problem with his foot.
