DUBLIN // Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said on Saturday that if Six Nations champions Ireland defeat England at Lansdowne Road on Sunday it will be the team's biggest win since he took over in 2013.
Victory would also equal the best win sequence of an Irish side at 10 Tests.
The 49-year-old New Zealander, who has guided the Irish to eye-catching victories over southern hemisphere giants South Africa and Australia, said he is under no illusions how difficult it will be to beat the only other unbeaten side in the tournament after two matches.
England are on a good run of their own, having won four Tests on the trot, and have in recent times been a bogey side for Ireland, inflicting their only loss of the last Six Nations, their fourth successive victory over the Irish.
If the Irish win, it would set them up for a third grand slam and would be also only the second time they have successfully defended the title – the last occasion being the old Five Nations back in 1949.
“It would be the biggest win we’ve had so far,” Schmidt said. “Not only because of the year that it is in [the World Cup which begins in September] but also for the players who have come into the squad.
“It would be great to give those players that confidence which comes with such a win.”
For their opponents, there is a sense it is time for them to turn near misses – they have won four out of five matches in the past four campaigns only to be denied the title each time .
Last year’s loss on points difference to the Irish especially rankles, as Ireland seaed the title with a stunning victory atParis hours after England had done what they needed to do by beating Italy.
“We are getting better but it’s one thing getting better, you’ve got to be picking up that silverware,” said England captain Chris Robshaw, who will skipper the side for the 34th time.
“Silverware matters to everyone. As a player you want to be judged on what you’ve won. It’s all well and good picking up caps and playing x amount of times for your country, which is incredible, but you want to win stuff.
“I don’t think guys need much motivation for this game. It’s going to be built up, it’s going to be exciting. Two great teams going at it.”
Follow us on twitter at @NatSportlUAE