Six Nations: Irish eyes smiling with Champions Cup momentum

Eddie Jones may not think European form has a bearing on international performances, but the England head coach must be relieved to be facing Ireland on the final day of the Six Nations.

Leinster marched into the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 100 per cent record, while Munster topped their pool and Ulster only narrowly missed out.

Saracens scraped through by the skin of their teeth as one of the best three runners-up, the defending champions winning just half of their six matches.

Sarries were the solitary English club to qualify as Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs, Wasps, Harlequins, Northampton Saints, Leicester Tigers and Bath bowed out.

While so many members of Jones’ England squad made an early exit in Europe’s top club competition, the majority of the Ireland side were firing on all cylinders with their provinces.

Leinster progressed with a swagger, the only team to win all six matches and consequently becoming favourites to be crowned European champions.

Exeter, Montpellier and Glasgow Warriors felt the force of Leo Cullen’s all-conquering side, Jordan Larmour emerging as a rising star and Jonathan Sexton among the experienced Ireland men to deliver against high-quality opposition.

Training Day. A good session this morning as the lads prepare for the opeing match of the #NatWest6Nations #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/dyk2nPv9rs

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 30, 2018

Munster recorded back-to-back wins over a Leicester outfit including the likes of George Ford, Jonny May and Dan Cole en route to taking their place in the last eight.

Ulster completed a double over Harlequins in a generally poor European campaign for the top English clubs, yet the canny Jones said he had no concerns of a knock-on effect on the international stage.

“[European rugby] doesn’t affect international form. There’s a distinct difference between club rugby and international rugby,” said the Australian.

“Whilst you always like your players to win, if they’re not successful at club level it doesn’t mean that you can’t be successful at international level.”

Dylan Hartley is a prime example to back up Jones’ statement, the captain having endured such a tough time at Northampton, but able to drive England on to such success under Jones.

England and Ireland lock horns in a potential St Patrick’s Day decider at Twickenham, by which time Irish eyes could still be smiling if the Munster and Leinster contingent can maintain the high standards they have set at club level.

But come March 17, England’s Sarries contingent may end the tournament with the wind in their sails targeting a third successive European triumph to go with a Six Nations treble.