Ireland flanker Dan Leavy is unfazed by the prospect of going to Twickenham next weekend as Ireland chase a Grand Slam and Triple Crown against England.
Ireland won their third Six Nations title in the last five years on Saturday after they secured a bonus point win over Scotland before England then lost to France in Paris.
The defeat in the French capital puts England out of contention for this year’s tournament, however, they can still spoil Ireland’s party if they maintain their home winning streak under Eddie Jones.
Ireland have not won at Twickenham since 2010 and the prospect of going to the home of English Rugby to win a Grand Slam does not appear to have intimidated Leavy.
“I’ve never been to Twickenham,” said Leavy.
“I’ve never been there but it’s the same game of rugby so I’m looking forward to it. It’s all the same.”
However, the Leinster openside was keen to highlight that Ireland spoiled England’s Grand Slam party last year and that Eddie Jones side would look to do the same his team next weekend.
“We said as a group that we wanted to do something special and we have an opportunity to do that next week. Last year England came over to us and we tried to muddy up their celebrations and they’ll be looking to do the same to us so we have to be prepared.”
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt added that England will know that Ireland are coming to London for the Grand Slam and that his side will need to be at their best to seal their first Grand Slam win since 2009.
“They know we’re coming and they’re going to be ready for us,” said Schmidt.
“We’ve got to get over there and hit our ‘A’ game right from the start. There’s going to be an extraordinary resolve among that English contingent.
“After those two away losses, after losing just one game in 25, to suddenly be on 27 games and be on the back of back-to-back losses, that is going to make them incredibly keen to make sure they deny us what we denied them last year.”
