Gatland's backline need to score tries

In terms of team selection a lot of people will have been surprised by the lack of change in the Irish side since the World Cup, given what happened and what was said afterwards. Essentially the same personnel are there, particularly at halfback where there was criticism of the way the game was being played.

Having tightened up defences at the start of his tenure, having got a lot of things right - the discipline, the team spirit and the training all seem to be better - Warren Gatland has now publicly come out and said that the Irish backline needs to start performing, needs to start scoring tries. And he's right.

The World Cup performances of both sides sets the scene. Two teams that were seriously disappointing are now under pressure. Gatland asked to be judged on World Cup performances and, unfortunately, like a lot of things, then turned around to the Six Nations and said let's be judged on that. We can't dismiss the World Cup that lightly. Both Gatland and Clive Woodward have to deliver results and this game is the start of that process.

Without scoring tries we will not win and the match against Argentina was proof of the pudding where the team lacked real purpose and fluidity, particularly in the backs. Ireland kicked as many penalties as Argentina but didn't cross the line.

Gatland has now put the onus on the backs to perform and I think the game-plan the team will adopt will reflect that, with Gatland taking the view that his side is not going to beat serious rugby teams by playing it tight because they're not that powerful up front. Players like Brian O'Driscoll in the centre and Conor O'Shea are going to have to be brought into play regularly.

What I like about O'Driscoll is that he has pace. You have to be able to live with the pace of the game at international level. O'Driscoll has that ability. He's now in a difficult position in that having promised a lot last year and having delivered to some extent at provincial level, he's expected to deliver at international level. He hasn't failed to step up to the mark yet and that is promising. He is one player who has the ability to do things that Irish centres haven't been able to do at international level for a long time. It looked like the selectors had Ronan O'Gara lined up to play and obviously injury ruled him out. I believe they were looking to have O'Gara, Mullins and O'Driscoll because of the familiarity between numbers 10 and 12. There would be some worry about the ability of O'Shea to reproduce his club form at international level. He certainly hasn't done it over the last three or four years, no matter how consistent he has been at London Irish. I think it's a major issue for the Irish team and it is a worry that they are now under pressure to perform as a back-line but have not been able to prove over the last two or three seasons that they can score tries.

In terms of the forward selections, the English back row is very strong. Richard Hill is playing great rugby, Lawrence Dallaglio is a super player and Neil Back is an excellent open side. It will be an interesting confrontation and on the face of it the back row and half-back areas will decide the game.

In the back row Ireland will have to be at the top of their game to compete. If not, there are two consequences. One, Ireland will concede a lot of penalties and two, England will win the majority of the loose ball and will make it pay. I'm not entirely convinced about the ability of the Irish backs to produce tries whereas the front and second row are proven performers.

Bob Casey is a talented, mobile and powerful second row. If he can add the mental and physical toughness that his brother Danny brought to his game at club level, he is going to have a very promising career. The interesting thing is that the form of Munster has been a revelation to people in England. The likes of Saracens, Wasps and Harlequins, who have all suffered at the hands of Munster, will recognise the threat posed by an Irish team in form. I don't think England will in any way be surprised by what Ireland might produce. The respect will be there. What is important for Ireland is recognising and dealing with the fact that people won't underestimate them too much. Ireland have not won at in Twickenham since 1994, so I think it's a significant location for the team to start winning. They are capable of winning and I don't think there will be much between the sides. But if I'm forced to call it I'd have to say England by a narrow margin.

(In an interview with Johnny Watterson)