Ex-Ireland international Alan Quinlan has stated that the current Ireland team under Farrell is 15-20 points better than Steve Bortwick's current England team ahead of their game this evening.
The sides will meet at 5:30 pm in the Aviva Stadium in the Bank of Nations Series, and this will be the first time the sides have met since Ireland secured a home Grand Slam e in the spring.
Both sides could not be in more vastly different stages under their head coaches. Ireland is ranked number one in the world, flying, and has beaten everyone in their path, while England has struggled to implement any type of identity under Steve Borthwick since he took over from Eddie Jones.
Quinlan, who played in many games between the sides, believes that this Ireland side will be too powerful for England this weekend.
"Ireland is 15-20 points better than England. England has dished up two very average performances against Wales. They will get better but need to do so quickly. Ireland will have far too much for England in Dublin," he said.
The Munster legend has also slammed the RFU's decision to sack Eddie Jones before the World Cup. He believes that England will need a miracle if they are to restore their reputation under Steve Borthwick at the World Cup in France.
England focus = 🔛👊#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/QwHty71Hsx
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 15, 2023
"That’s amazing to say when you think about where England should be. Their whole preparation has been a disaster with Eddie Jones being let go," he added.
"The rugby World Cup cycle has been badly managed and run on so many levels by England, and this England side has hit a brick wall for the last two years.
"Unless they find something out of the ordinary, they are not going to have a successful World Cup."
Despite Ireland being red-hot favorites for the game, Quinlan does not want the Irish players to become complacent in the clash.
"Ireland is in a good place. We haven’t seen their big guns yet. We will see ten or 11 of the perceived first team starting against England. You can’t judge Ireland on the Italy game.
"It is a big game, and of course, they will want to win, but it is not a necessity they do so with a wide expansive free-flowing game. They don't need it.
"What they have served up in the last 18 months as regards their attacking game has been very good. Ireland will hold a little bit back in terms of their attack on Saturday. They will not be showing their full hand.
"The only concern I would have is that most people could pick the Ireland 15 on paper. Might that lead to any complacency with players? That’s me trying to find some chink in the armor! It is always a mental challenge when you are in a good place, where you don’t drop your standards. I am sure they are very aware of that.
Quinlan was speaking to LuckyBlock.comÂ
