Lenihan: Ireland can't get dragged into a bun fight

Ireland need to avoid getting dragged into an arm-wrestle with England, but whatever Steve Borthwick's side throw at the hosts in Dublin is unlikely to be enough, says Donal Lenihan.

England will pitch up at the Aviva Stadium hoping to spoil a Grand Slam party, as well as bounce back from their record home defeat at the hands of France last time out.

Hooker Dan Sheehan and number 8 Caelan Doris have been passed fit after picking up knocks in Edinburgh, and speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Lenihan said the men in green are in a great position to claim a first slam on home soil.

"Overall, given the injuries we had, it’s a very strong Irish team. We knew Garry Ringrose was out, but having the experience of having Robbie Henshaw to come there was fantastic," he said.

"Ireland are in a good place

"England have a very strong backline and they have gone back to the future in some ways, with Owen Farrell at out-half and Manu Tuilagi in midfield.

"They will have a lot to fire, but overall Ireland are that bit stronger."

While Lenihan can’t see England causing an upset on Saturday, he believes the only way for the visitors to threaten would be to up the physical stakes.

"All the talk from the England camp is they will come out swinging with their backs to the walls. You’d expect that given the way they were hammered by France last week.

"I think the key for Ireland is not to get drawn into a bun fight.

"England will make it extremely physical at the breakdown.

"Ireland have encountered all of that before. The only other thing they have to guard against is the level of expectation that is there. Everybody is expecting an Ireland win, and that doesn’t just happen, but Andy Farrell has been brilliant in getting the mental preparation of this