Preview: Andy Farrell's Ireland right on track for Twickenham test

It's difficult to make a compelling argument that England can beat Ireland today.

The sides meet in round four of the Guinness Six Nations almost at opposite ends of their respective journeys.

England, under Steve Borthwick, are spluttering out of the station, while Andy Farrell’s train is thundering down the tracks, full steam ahead.

While you won't find many sticking their heads above the parapet to predict an upset win for the hosts, which would be their first victory over Ireland in their last five games, that coming in an Autumn Nations Series in November 2020, England can, of course, win this.

The problem is that they would have to produce a performance that doesn't look to be within their wheelhouse, while at the same time hoping that the defending champions - looking for a record 12th successive Six Nations victory - play well below their capabilities.

That perfect alignment for England seems unlikely.

Had, for example, the fixture list thrown Italy and Wales under the Irish bus in rounds one and two, and Ireland's last outing been the Marseille demolition job, then England's chances would have been better.

It was very difficult to fault-find from that win over France, but the subsequent 36-0 and 31-7 victories gave Farrell much to work with, all with the comfort of ten points in their pockets.

Their room for improvement is greater.

"We've seen growth over the last four-year cycle and as we start this cycle again it's got to continue," said number 8 Caelan Doris during the week.

"The exciting thing is that we don't know where we can get to."

Doris highlighted the team's poor discipline against Wales where they coughed up 13 penalties and a free kick, many of them "silly". The lineout woes re-emerged.

After completing rounds