SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England will have to play out of their skins to have any chance against Ireland

I never thought I’d be writing this about an England team, but they have to try and compete and return some much-needed respect to the shirt in Dublin on Saturday.

I just can’t see them winning the game. If England lose to Ireland by about 10 points, that would be respectable. It pains me to make such a statement, but I do so only to paint an accurate reflection of where both teams stand.

It’s a sobering reality of English rugby’s decline and that debate is for another day, but no one, yes no one, is expecting a win at the Aviva Stadium.

Steve Borthwick’s side will have to play outside their skin to have any chance. A week after the 53-10 thrashing of France, I’m still stunned by the result. A repeat demolition is entirely possible because Ireland is just as good, if not better, than France.

When I look at Ireland, I see a formidable team. No English player is on their side right now. Again, that’s a reflection of how far away England is.

Ireland are a really impressive unit from 1-23, but it’s their forwards where they have particular strength and that means real trouble for England.

As I wrote earlier in the tournament, the debate over the number 10 has been a major distraction for England. The argument over who should start between Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith and George Ford has masked other, more significant issues in the pack.

Against France, the English forwards were knocked out. I’m surprised there was only one change in the pack for Ireland and even that was due to injury with Ollie Chessum’s blocking after a serious ankle problem. England’s forwards must respond in Dublin and I hope they do after the beating they’ve taken from all sides since last week’s demolition.

They were humiliated by France, blown up in the contact area and physically destroyed. Things won’t be any easier in Dublin because I think the Irish pack is the best in the world. I could talk about each player in detail, but they are all world class! They are a truly scary team. England have to physically show up against the Ireland strikers to have any chance.

In fact, I like the look of the England back line. I’m pleased to see Henry Arundell starting. He will be a fantastic player for England and he is a phenomenal talent. But make no mistake, Ireland will be looking to attack him and they are in for a tough game. We have all seen the wonderful attacking ability that Arundell has. There is no doubt that he is from the Test class.

We’ve already seen him score wonderful tries for London Irish and England, so we know he’s good going forward. Against Ireland, we’ll see if Arundell can defend.

Ireland will be looking to expose him in the kicking battle but I think Arundell will manage. I hope he has a good game. His first international start couldn’t come in a more difficult place.

I would have liked to see Alex Mitchell start at scrum half. I think Jack van Poortvliet is lucky to keep his place after some heavy showings. When Mitchell came on, he injected some much-needed pace into the attack. With Arundell and Anthony Watson sidelined, England have plenty of promise, but that won’t mean anything if they can’t play on their front foot.

England’s forwards need to step up significantly and that goes for all eight, including established players like Jamie George, Ellis Genge and Maro Itoje, whose reputations really hang on the line. Frankly, there needs to be a big step forward across the board that I think we’ll see.

I can see why Borthwick has gone back to Farrell. It wouldn’t have given a damn who played against France as number 10, the result would have been the same.

I think there is an element of Borthwick protecting Smith this weekend because if he starts and England suffer another big defeat, there could be long-term consequences. When you’re in a corner, as England is at the moment, Farrell is the kind of guy you want in the trenches. It is correct that he is the captain. Frankly, there’s no one else to do it currently.

Ireland deserves to win a Grand Slam. I know from personal experience that doing it is not easy, but Andy Farrell and his team are doing an excellent job at the moment. They seem to have it all, but one crazy moment or a red card can ruin everything.

Even when suffering injuries against Scotland, Ireland defied the odds and called on a prop to play hooker and a back line to shoot into the lineout to clinch a win.

Winning a Grand Slam is not easy, but having the luxury of a Grand Slam game at home is special. I had four chances at a Grand Slam with England and all four were away games. We won one of the four in Dublin, which will vibrate today. It will take one of the biggest upsets in rugby history for England to calm down the Irish crowd and ruin their Grand Slam party. I can’t see it happening, but what I can see is that this England team is getting some pride back.

Ireland and England will bring the curtain down on what has been an excellent Six Nations overall, with Scotland facing Italy and France against Wales completing ‘Super Saturday’.

France can still win the title if they beat Wales and England beat Ireland. I can only see one result in Paris, but the game may be closer than people expect.

Wales have had a tough tournament and France played the rugby of the gods at Twickenham, so it could be a long afternoon for Warren Gatland’s men. I can see why Gatland has gone for experience and brought back Alun Wyn Jones and George North.

The Stade de France can be unforgiving, especially if the home team is firing on all cylinders. It’s no place for young guns that might be out of their league. They could be lambs for the slaughterhouse.

The first game sees Italy travel to Edinburgh. Scotland should still have enough for victory even without injured stars Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell, especially with home advantage.

Italy have certainly improved in this Six Nations, but they seem destined to finish the Championship once again.