It is an intriguing game within a game, a fascinating subplot to Saturday's main storyline, writes Gerry Thornley

The more dexterous and elusive Gordon D'Arcy-Brian O'Driscoll midfield axis against the more cerebral and physical English central duo of celebrated rugby league convert Andy Farrell and Mike Tindall, all to the backdrop of ex-rugby league defensive coaches Graham Steadman and Mike Ford, with his insider knowledge of Ireland's defensive system.

Ford has been quite bullish about England's appreciation and understanding of the Irish defence, as well as the danger Farrell, in particular, can provide to D'Arcy when the one-time rugby league secondrow launches his 16st, 6ft 4in frame at the Irish inside centre.

Steadman perceives Farrell's threat to be a good deal less blunt than that. "I think what Faz is about is he's a very good organiser for players around him, both in 'D' (defence) and in attack. He also has a subtlety to his game. A lot of people talk about his distribution with width, both left and right, but he's very, very smart at drawing defenders and causing separation with that short one-metre pass as he did with that last hit-out against Italy, and certainly it was more evident against the Scots in the first one. We've worked on that and I'd like to think that the players, come Saturday evening, if we work as a unit together, we'll be good."

Although the potential absence of Jonny Wilkinson would obviously enhance Ireland's chances of a fourth successive win in the fixture, it would be a shame for the game and the occasion if he didn't make it. Likewise Jason Robinson. England's rejuvenated spring chicken, back on his more effective left wing, is the leading try scorer in the championship with three in two games and, like Farrell, was a one-time Great Britain rugby league team-mate of Steadman's on a tour of Australia.

"There's talk of him carrying a bit of an injury but if Robbo is selected and he plays he will be a threat," admitted Steadman. "But we've got to make sure we get numbers there, in threes and fours, down our right flank, because, given time and space, he can be dynamic. Having worked and played with Robbo in the past I know what the guy is about, but what has impressed me is his appetite, certainly in the last few months."

The Ireland defensive coach made known his disappointment with Ireland's defensive display against France and seemed confident there would be a marked improvement. "The intensity has been there, but more importantly, the awareness has improved. We highlighted certain aspects against the French that we weren't happy with and the response has been positive. So that's all you can ask from the players and in our practice today certainly the bar has been raised. We highlighted one and two-man details this morning, the players know what they're about this week and the opposition in front of them, and we have to approach this match in a positive manner."