Alan Quinlan fancies Ireland to beat England and roll on towards a Grand Slam

"It’s the same case with players, it’s not a must to have failure to be successful. It does help so you learn things and ways you approach a situation. All of those three coaches would look back at that 2015 World Cup and do things differently from player selection to tactics so we’ve benefited from a group of great coaches who have made mistakes and have learnt from them. 

"Sometimes you need a different environment in order to succeed, you see the same case happen in football where a manager does better at one club than another one. The Irish system has definitely benefited from this. 

"Farrell also had big boots to fill after Joe Schmidt, who had a lot of success with Ireland but a disappointing ending in Japan and he had to help rebuild. I think he felt he was ready for the job and I love his demeanour and his presence.

"The way he walks onto the pitch pre-match, smiling. He has an attitude where he thinks if we win then brilliant but if we lose, it’s onto the next one and you believe him when he says that. He’s picked up an Irish public that were devastated after Japan.

"Jack was incredible for Irish football. He had a huge impact on football here. But Andy won’t mind me saying this but we would have needed to get to a World Cup semi-final for him to attain Jackie Charlton status. But he may be heading that way! There is no reason why he won’t. He is doing a top job and is appreciated not just by his players, but by people at large who see a player who was as hard as nails and so likeable."

The former Clanwilliam and Munster star said Ireland will believe in their own ability: "Ireland will back themselves at Twickenham against Felix Jones and his blitz defence: They are pretty good at adapting to all situations. They will be very mindful of the physical confrontational approach England will bring. With Felix Jones now being part of the England set up, they will be mindful of the very aggressive blitz defence. 

"Ireland will have to be careful. I wouldn’t change what their big strengths are: fitness, continuity, skillset and their ability to go from one touchline to another and find space. The one thing they should look to do is kick a little bit more and get into the English half and push them back. They should also have some close in carries early on, but I think Ireland will back themselves.

"This is not the beginning of an Irish dynasty because the talent pool is so small. This could all change very quickly. I played for a very strong Munster side for 12 years or so. Suddenly it can change when players retire. When you have a small playing pool there is no guarantee that the next Andrew Porter, Tadgh Furlong or Peter O’Mahony and Johnny Sexton will come through. Jack Crowley has done very well, however.

"You can never say this is going to go on for a long time. The age profile of some of these players is quite high. I would be optimistic that there is good talent coming through though. The IRFU deserve a lot of credit because rugby in this country is the fourth or fifth most popular sport in terms of participation.

"Some Irish football fans are jealous at the success of the rugby team ‘because the vast majority of players come from private schools’ You only have to look at the support at the World Cup, up to 60,000 people at games. It was staggering. The vast majority of Irish people are connected with the rugby team. It is a hugely positive thing.

"When it comes to international sport we are a very small nation. That is why we hail our successful golfers, athletes, boxers as well as our team. It brings joy and excitement. There are still knockers though about the rugby team. There is a jealousy in some quarters that rugby is doing well and football is not. Critics say there is an entitlement about rugby here because the vast majority of players come from private schools.

"We are pretty good at knocking our own at times, a very small majority who take joy in certain people not doing well in sport. But most of those people are those who hide away behind computer screens. I was disappointed in England and their inability to get back into the game at Scotland. I saw glimpses in the first half when they tried to put width on the ball. But they were getting disorganised and their shape went. 

"What disappointed me was their inability to get back into the game in the second half. With 10 minutes to go and nine points down they’re still box kicking. They just revert to type. Just take a chance. There’s nothing to lose. I wasn’t surprised but I was very disappointed. The concern is still in multi-phase. What are they trying to do? If they’re not powering over people what’s the option? England just kick.

Alan Quinlans prediction is that Ireland will beat England by 8 to 10 points: "When you look at the last three Six Nations games, Ireland have won by 13-16 points. The spread is 12 points and I think that’s pretty accurate. England will cause them problems but my fear for England is that they should be mindful that if this Ireland team changes gears, they can be very dangerous. If Ireland have that ruthless edge at Twickenham it could be a very long day for England but my prediction is Ireland to win in a close run game by 8 to 10 points."