Gordon D’Arcy Believes England Have A Key Weak Point That Ireland Need To Target

Ireland take on England this weekend in Twickenham and as per usual the build-up has been intense and highly enjoyable.

England are undefeated while Ireland have one loss and one draw heading into the round three clash. Eddie Jone’s side are favourites heading into the game but former Ireland and Leinster centre Gordon D’Arcy reckons a certain English pairing can be exploited by Joe Schmidt’s men.

The issue at 12 has long been topical with regard’s England. You might remember none other than D’Arcy himself pulled no punches when slating one Sam Burgess, labelling him as simply not good enough for International standard union. We all know how that went…

This time round D’Arcy has highlighted the ten, twelve pairing of Ford and Farrell.

England’s 10-12 axis of George Ford and Owen Farrell will not win too many collisions so they are tasked with creating space. I don’t believe that combination can win England the World Cup in Japan.

In 2015 Ford and Farrell only combined together when Australia had all but knocked them out of their own tournament. To persevere with them all the way to 2019 would, in my mind, be unwise.

Ireland, ideally with England fielding Farrell at 12, but regardless, must put that 10-12 channel in a vice and squeeze until it yields errors that are converted into points by Jonny Sexton.

If Joe Schmidt decides to go with the pairing of McCloskey and Henshaw at 12 and 13 respectively in the absence of Jared Payne we could be for real quality battle that Ireland will be confident they can edge. Roll on Saturday.