Hodgson hopes to kick-up a storm

Charlie Hodgson, England's under-fire goalkicker, believes he can deny Ireland a Grand Slam this season by orchestrating a shock win in Dublin on Sunday.

Hodgson, whose missed kicks cost England victory against France two weeks ago, will have the kicking responsibility again at Lansdowne Road where the usual windy condition can make it a nightmare for even the best rugby marksmen.

However, Hodgson is adamant that his Twickenham nightmare is not relevant as he prepares to face the unbeaten Irish and help England avoid an embarrassing third successive defeat.

He said: "You can't go into a game feeling negative and I am looking forward to the Ireland match and helping England get a win and spoil what the Irish think is going to be a Grand Slam year.

"What shapes you as a person is how you deal with your disappointments and it is a big thing for me is to kick well in Dublin. You cannot afford to think about what's happened and I got straight back into action with Sale last Friday. I kicked well in that game and I always feel positive. I go into the Ireland game after a good performance.

"I was striking the ball well in the game against France and all that happened was the radar wasn't quite there."

Leicester's Lewis Moody could miss the game with an infected finger and Sale flanker Chris Jones is on standby to join the replacements with Gloucester's Andy Hazell set to move into the No7 jersey.