England will miss the experience of full-back Mike Brown © Getty Images

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Six Nations success in the Cardiff cauldron is one thing, but Stuart Lancaster's England will face an entirely different test when they face current champions Ireland in Dublin on Sunday. Who will prevail in the Grand Slam decider?

Team news

While a few insecurities remain, there is no doubt that England have quietly impressed thus far. However, this is crunch time for Lancaster and Co. The Aviva Stadium will witness the competition's only unbeaten teams lock horns and, with only two rounds remaining afterwards, whoever prevails will be in the driving seat to claim the crown.

Mike Brown's absence with concussion is a blow for England and could seriously influence the outcome: the full-back's experience will be missed and, having not started a Test since the 30-3 defeat to Wales two years ago, Alex Goode will have his hands full.

Jack Nowell is favoured ahead of Jonny May on the wing, while Henry Thomas replaces Kieran Brookes on the bench in the only other change to Lancaster's matchday squad.

For the hosts, head coach Joe Schmidt has made minimal changes from the side that beat France. Jack McGrath is preferred to fit-again British & Irish Lion Cian Healy, while Jordi Murphy comes in for the injured number eight Jamie Heaslip.

Key head-to-head

The Irish will no doubt stick to the kicking tactics that have served them so well in recent years. Fly-half Johnny Sexton produced a couple of pivotal turnovers in the victory against France, twice using the much-debated choke tackle on Mathieu Bastareaud and receiving a few war wounds for his troubles.

England must deal with some aerial bombardment if they are to achieve title glory under Lancaster, so Goode and his fellow backs will have to be on song.

Key Stats

* Ireland have won their last nine tests since their 13-10 defeat at Twickenham in round three last year - their best ever all-time run is 10 consecutive wins, which was set in 2002-2003.

* England have won their last four tests against Ireland, their best success rate against them since the turn of the millennium.

* England's record in their last 13 visits to Lansdowne Road/Aviva Stadium since 1987 is won nine, lost four.

Odds

Not much has split the two over past years with Ireland leading the Six Nations' head-to-head by a single victory at 8-7. It remains fairly even at the Aviva Stadium, too, although England just edge the record books there.

With that in mind, and a Grand Slam title the possible prize further down the line, it'll be another close tie on Sunday. Ireland to win by 1-5 points will return 13/4 with Unibet, while an England victory by the same margin returns 9/2.

Think it will be a bit closer than that? A draw, of which there have been four between these two sides at this venue, will pay out 20/1 with Unibet.

Weather

Plenty of cloud cover and low temperatures forecast for Dublin this Sunday. No rain expected, but there will be strong westerly winds.

Prediction

Going to be very close - Ireland by one.

Will it be a record-equalling victory for Ireland in Dublin? © ESPN

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