We’d be lost without the English when it comes to sporting rivalry and rugby is the sport that best epitomises and invigorates our interest in putting one over on them (although cricket is fast catching up).

We’ve been lucky with our fair share of success against the traditional Six Nations heavyweights. With the biggest pick in world rugby, they still struggle against the likes of little old us with one of the smallest pools of playing resources.

None of that tends to matter once the whistle is blown, of course, and that will be the case this Sunday. The visitors might be the marginal favourites, based on their win over Wales, recent form between the pair of us and the fact that they are England, but a study of some truths would point to Ireland this weekend.

Over the past five years, for example, we have won two championships to their one. While they have beaten us for the last three years in the Six Nations, the last two were narrow, one-score losses. Before that run we had beaten England a whopping seven times out of eight and that included the odd whipping. There is no intimidation factor about this jersey and in Dublin we are currently next to unbeatable, the mighty All Blacks (and then only just) the last team to lower our colours at home.

Twelve months ago we lost in Twickenham by a score of 13-10 in a gripping, intense classic of attritional rugby. That defeat cost us the Grand Slam but ultimately won us the championship, thanks to scoring difference. A year on, both teams have probably improved a tad – England lie third in the world rankings and we are fourth, with just a sliver between us.

That ranking could be reversed on Sunday with a home win and it is that crucial component, the fact that we are on our pitch in front of our supporters, that can seal the deal for us. The margins will be exceptionally tight in this game – in all probability a very similar contest to the French one in that we could be holding on for a victory. So, this has a one-score win written all over it. For Ireland.

In terms of personnel, the loss of Jamie Heaslip is a huge blow but that might be offset by the English most likely having to line out without the talismanic and brilliant Mike Brown at full-back. He has been the outstanding 15 in the world in the last 12 months and that is a category that includes Rob Kearney and Leigh Halfpenny. Brown is not a man you kick to and if, as expected, he isn’t passed fit (due to the very topical concussion protocols), then our game plan changes accordingly.

Heaslip’s absence opens the door to Jordi Murphy and/or Iain Henderson. Henderson’s utility as a second row and back row might actually mitigate against his selection from the start as he is a very useful sub to have. Schmidt has also played a major part in Murphy’s development at Leinster and that does count for something with this coach. And justifiably so where results are concerned. The rest of the team should stay as is. We toughed out the French match and our forwards were excellent, while our backs were also strong defensively. That is a huge part of this game, for the English are the strongest physical team in the championship. Missed tackles could prove fatal; our famed wraparound choke technique in the tackle, preventing the offload and inviting a maul and subsequent turnover, never more crucial.

This will drive the team talks and tactical discussions this week. Defence, hits, kick chase, scrums, lineouts and mauls. And that is unfortunate. There is quite a bit wrong with rugby right now. The small player is getting close to losing his place in the game and the onset of professionalism has seen physicality a prerequisite for all positions. As a result, packs are getting bigger by the week, the scrum is a nonsensical, unintelligible mess and the spate of recent concussions entirely predictable as players get stronger.

Within all of this come Ireland, a country currently blessed with some seriously talented players. Winning rugby demands the physicality and a refined tactical plan to match the state of the international game and Joe Schmidt is driving that agenda with real success since he came into the job. It’s a results business and he certainly knows his business.

The pity is that attacking rugby no longer has the flair that first attracted so many of us to the game. It must rediscover that ingredient as the concussion argument dominates and drives children and, more importantly, their parents away from the game.

The Six Nations is the world leader in rugby. Apart from the every-four-year World Cup bonanza, this is the tournament most watched, most anticipated and most enjoyed. This is where we all fell in love with the game. It is here that agendas can be driven to change rugby for the better. But it won’t happen on Sunday. We won’t see Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls – two men with that flair factor – while Simon Zebo’s light will probably be well hidden as well.

Once again, the axis of Murray and Sexton will be all important. They must control the game from the base of the scrum and at first receiver. Expect plenty of kicking, as per usual – Tommy Bowe and the aforementioned Zebo will earn their money on chasing these kicks, and without Brown to contend with they should be able to make serious hay.

Our defence can and should win the spoils. If we can hold the English to 15 points or less, we have more than enough attacking capabilities to grind out the four or five penalties and one try needed to hang on.

Hopefully there will be a moment of brilliance – the genius that can make this game so compelling. And hopefully it will come from a green jersey.

The Aviva will rock and Ireland to roll.