Peter O'Mahony doesn’t want to give England any extra credit for getting him more pumped up than normal but there’s still a sense that this one means more.
The flanker has held his spot at blindside for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations match, with Josh van der Flier on the other side and Caelan Doris at 8, leaving three-Test Lions starter Jack Conan on the bench.
The 32-year-old admits he’ll be sick with nerves for the 24 hours before kick-off as Ireland look for just a fifth-ever Six Nations win at Twickenham.
"I don’t think [I get more nervous against England]," O’Mahony told RTÉ Sport
"Rugby in general is huge, whether club or country.
"Obviously, country is different to club, there’s no point in saying otherwise.
"Every game brings massive nerves for me still.
"Literally 24 hours out, still feeling physically ill with what’s coming up: the battle, the [situations], wanting to play well, not wanting to let anyone down.
"That doesn’t change regardless of your opposition, it always there.
"We’ve a huge rivalry with all the teams in the Six Nations these days.
"Every game is so important. But look, it’d be foolish to say there isn’t always something special between the two of us.
"It’s always a huge occasion, a huge encounter. The fact that they’re consistently a world-class outfit, it’s always a huge test for any team to play against them.
"That's the way it goes. It certainly is a huge occasion when Ireland and England play each other."
Head coach Farrell singled out the Munster captain for particular praise having been in and out of the starting line-up over the last couple of years.
"Pete's in good form, not just physically but he's a good emotional leader for us as well," said Farrell.
"Leadership is a big part of every team
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