Austin Healey is out for revenge when Ireland vist Twickenham to take on England tomorrow afternoon.

Less than four months have elapsed since the resurgent Irish gatecrashed England's anticipated Grand Slam party at Lansdowne Road.

And while the revenge theory has been predictably played down by England management and players this week, it remains high on Healey's personal agenda.

He scored England's try that autumn afternoon, a late second-half effort which briefly threatened a red rose revival after Ireland dominated for an hour.

But there was to be no way back as Clive Woodward saw his team complete a Celtic triple crown of spectacular Grand Slam failures.

Woodward is justifiably proud of England's reaction to such a demoralising setback - victories over Tri-Nations giants Australia and South Africa, plus a record win in Scotland - yet Healey vividly remembers Dublin, and it still hurts.

"People say that revenge is not a factor on occasions like this, but it is for me," said the 43 times-capped Leicester star.

"We owe Ireland one for what happened last October. I want to win on Saturday to banish memories of Dublin.

"But we know that we will need to go up a couple of gears from Murrayfield two weeks ago, because at the moment, Ireland are a better side than Scotland."

Concentrating on the rugby, and planning how to beat undoubtedly top-notch opposition, has proved a welcome focus for an England squad whose build-up was overshadowed by their captain's indiscipline.

At least Martin Johnson won't have to face a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing until next Thursday, when he will answer for his brutal punch that left Saracens hooker Robbie Russell requiring six stitches in a gruesome facial wound.

And although a black cloud will inevitably hang over Johnson this weekend, Woodward believes it is essential his skipper produces a typically aggressive, snarling contribution from the second-row.

"It is crucial that Martin plays right on the edge for England, and it is also crucial that he knows when to stand back," Woodward said.

"He is one of the most respected players in world rugby and you don't get that respect by being a dirty player.

"As a squad, we speak a lot about discipline and maintaining self-control in difficult situations, because it is the difference between winning and losing. Test matches are often decided by a single score."

Woodward believes that Johnson lost his self-control in what the England boss termed "a bad incident," and the punishment - a likely ban - could well keep him out of next month's potentially pivotal Six Nations trip to France.

But what about the Irish perhaps trying to wind Johnson up tomorrow? Cue his Leicester team-mate Healey.

"They can have a go at him all they like, but teams have tried to wind Johnno up in the past and failed," Healey said.

Ireland have far more important matters to think about, like how they stop an England side undefeated in 13 Tests at Twickenham since New Zealand beat them during World Cup 99, and an England team who know that top spot awaits them in Zurich's official rugby union world rankings list if they win by 16 points or more.

Two years ago, Ireland shipped a record 50 points on English soil, but their subsequent improvement has proved such; that they arrive at Twickenham harbouring genuine hopes of a first victory since Simon Geoghegan's match-winning try silenced HQ in 1994.

Back-to-back record wins against Wales - home and away - a mighty tussle with the All Blacks which eventually saw New Zealand triumph, plus that England scalp, suggests a tough afternoon's work for the reigning Six Nations champions.

"Ireland have a settled team and they've got a lot of confidence. Knowing that they beat England a few months ago will give them a lot of self-belief," said Woodward.

"They are used to winning, also at provincial level in Europe and the Celtic League, and they will come to Twickenham really fancying their chances, possibly for the first time in a long time."

With six Munster forwards spearheading the Irish effort up-front, a fly-half in David Humphreys whom his opposite number Jonny Wilkinson rates as "a top international player," and genial centre Brian O'Driscoll's brilliant game-breaking skills to call on, Ireland shouldn't be found wanting.

"We have realistic self-belief in our own strengths," said O'Driscoll.

"We know the capabilities of England, and we are not about to under-estimate them. It's going to be a struggle of wits and skill.

"But this is a major game for the Irish, and I think that we can do it."