Launched in pursuit of the Blues, the last undefeated team and which faces Wales on Friday, the Irish and English can no longer afford the slightest misstep.

A victory for the XV de la Rose at Twickenham and the English would offer themselves a real final, a week later, against the XV of France.

"We see this game against Ireland as a semi-final," warned England coach Eddie Jones.

Australia coach of the England team, Eddie Jones, speaks to his players during training on February 25, 2022 at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot, on the eve of the Six Nations Tournament match against the country of Wales at Twickenham Stadium ADRIAN DENNIS AFP/Archives

"Ireland are the tightest team in the world at the moment and it will be a good test this weekend (...) All I worry about is that my team is playing well. We are prepared and we will attack them," he added.

Accustomed to verbal contests, the Australian technician from the XV de la Rose preferred to let the Irish take on the cador costume: "They are the favourites. I went to the café yesterday and the waitress told me + This Irish team must really be good: their ex-players say they'll win, ex-England internationals say they'll win. How does it feel?+ I was like 'I just want my coffee'," Jones laughed.

Still, after its initial defeat against Scotland (20-17), the XV of the Rose regained spice by dominating Italy (33-0) then Wales (23-19).

A third win in a row against Ireland, who have not beaten them at Twickenham since 2018, would give the English a good chance to spoil the French party on March 19 at the Stade de France.

In the other meetings of the day, Scotland will try to forget against Italy in Rome its disappointment against France (36-17).

The Italian team have not won a match in the competition since 2015.

The joy of Scottish fullback Stuart Hogg, after his scored try against Italy, during the Six Nations Tournament, February 22, 2020 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome Vincenzo PINTO AFP / Archives

France continued on Friday evening its road to a possible first Grand Slam since 2010 by winning 13-9 during a perilous trip to Wales, defending champion.

A transfer of power?

© 2022 AFP