Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has reluctantly admitted that captain Brian O'Driscoll was sorely missed during Sunday's Six Nations defeat to France in Croke Park.
O'Sullivan is loathe to making excuses with such a talented squad at his disposal but claims no team in the world can replace the Leinster centre who was ruled out of rugby's first showing Croke Park after he failed a late fitness test on a hamstring injury.
O'Driscoll is expected to be available for the visit of England in 10 days time and O'Sullivan concedes that his presence could be the difference between winning and losing.
"I knew that no matter how well we prepared, there wouldn't be that edge to our attack and defence without him," said the Ireland coach. "I said at the outset of the Six Nations that injuries would have a bearing on the championship. It's unfortunate but that's the way it is.
"There's no point saying we don't miss him."
"We were missing the best international centre in the world, and that's no reflection on Shane Horgan," he said. "No-one would argue with the fact Brian O'Driscoll was a loss against France.
"I don't want to go down that road too much because it's not fair on the lads who were on the pitch, but he's a loss and there's no doubt about it.
"I don't think any country in the world could replace Brian O'Driscoll if they had to. It did hurt us not having him and it was tough leaving him out."
O'Sullivan was impressed Bernard Laporte's side, but not surprised, pointing out that France "can complete the Grand Slam every year.
"They are always up there because they have a phenomenal squad," he said. "But they went to Scotland last season and were beaten against the odds and only won the championship over us on points difference.
"We're only two games into the Six Nations. Most wise people would predict there will be very few Grand Slams won in the current era because it's so tight.
"There's so little in it and on one day you get a bad break and that's then end of your Grand Slam. That's what happened to us against France."
England coach Brian Ashton has already named his side to take on Ireland on Saturday, February 24th.
The former Ireland boss has recalled Joe Worsley and managed to convince Newcastle Falcons to rest outhalf Jonny Wilkinson this weekend and Leicester to leave out some of their top forwards as well.
England: O Morgan (Gloucester); J Lewsey (Wasps), M Tindall (Gloucester), A Farrell (Saracens), J Robinson (Sale Sharks); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), H Ellis (Leicester Tigers); P Freshwater (Perpignan), G Chuter (Leicester), P Vickery (Wasps, capt), L Deacon (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps), M Lund (Sale Sharks), M Corry (Leicester).
Replacements: L Mears (Bath), J White (Leicester Tigers), T Palmer (Wasps), T Rees (Wasps), S Perry (Bristol), T Flood (Newcastle), M Tait (Newcastle).
