Simon Easterby backs Ryan Baird to grasp Ireland opportunity amid intriguing clash of styles with England

Ryan Baird has been given the nod for a starting slot by Simon Easterby Steve Borthwick wasted no time in beginning the mind games last weekend when the England head coach not so subtly urged Ben O’Keefe, the referee for Saturday’s Six Nations opener, to ensure Ireland’s attacking breakdown is “legal and within the laws”. The battle lines were drawn before Borthwick doubled down by naming his team two days earlier than originally planned..