Talking points ahead of England’s Six Nations clash against Ireland

England host Ireland on Saturday in a crunch Guinness Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

The rivals will battle to take their respective title bids into the final round of the championship.

Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the key talking points.

Championship glory remains a realistic possibility for both teams going into what is essentially a knockout semi-final.

The rivals have so far registered two wins and a defeat apiece and will run out in front of around 82,000 fans knowing that the losing side will be eliminated from title contention.

England have dominated Twickenham meetings during the past decade, winning eight of nine. Yet they were last year condemned to a chastening fifth-placed finish on the back of being crushed 32-18 in Dublin by an Irish team that has since taken significant strides forward.

With a tough trip to Paris to come, defeat for the hosts this weekend from what promises to be a tense affair could lead to them once again ending second bottom in the final standings.

Never shy of stirring things up, England coach Eddie Jones has been rattling through his repertoire of pre-match mind games.

The charismatic Australian has labelled Ireland red-hot favourites and the most cohesive team in world rugby, while also questioning their ability to match England’s physicality and declaring that his side do not fear anyone.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has been reluctant to engage in a battle of wits with his former Saracens boss, regarding the relentless stream of headline-grabbing remarks as both entertaining and unnecessary.

While attempting to burden opponents is a well-rehearsed tactic for Jones, on this occasion bookmakers also consider England to be underdogs, albeit only marginally.

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