Six Nations clash with Ireland a ‘step up’ for England, says Richard Cockerill

Taking on Ireland at Twickenham a week on Saturday will be a “step up” in the Six Nations for England, says the forwards coach, Richard Cockerill.

After an opening defeat by Scotland and victories against Italy and Wales, Eddie Jones’s side are third in the table with two matches remaining. Andy Farrell’s Ireland sit second behind France, also with two wins out of three, but marginally ahead having scored three bonus points to England’s two.

Ireland recorded an emphatic 57-6 victory against Italy last Sunday after the Azzurri were reduced to 13 men but their first-round fixture, a 29-7 demolition of Wales in Dublin, provides a more accurate reflection of the talent at Farrell’s disposal. Under the tutelage of the attack coach Mike Catt, Ireland aim to play a high-tempo attacking game in which their powerful forwards play a full part.

“They’re a very good side, aren’t they?” Cockerill said on Thursday. “They play a really good style of rugby, very physical, the way they carry the ball and the way their forward pack go about their business. And their backs have been impressive. We’re looking forward to the game, but we know it’s going to be a step up from what we’ve played so far.”

Cockerill is tasked with coordinating England’s pack against an accomplished Ireland front eight, although it emerged on Thursday that the increasingly influential Leinster prop Andrew Porter will miss the rest of the Six Nations with an ankle injury. According to Cockerill the set piece could decide the outcome of an encounter that, if England win, would set up a tournament “final” against France in Paris on 19 March. Ireland finish their campaign at home against Scotland on the same day, and are aiming to be in contention for the championship