In a fixture with historical and political symbolism, the English were crushed 43-13 on their first visit to the home of Gaelic sport.

A similar outcome is not improbable when they return to Croke Park for the last time before Lansdowne Road is reopened as Ireland continue their push for an elusive RBS 6 Nations title.

Revenge is high on Ireland's agenda with Kearney revealing the 33-10 drubbing endured at Twickenham a year ago has left them with a score to settle.

"Irish rugby has come a long way and so has provincial rugby," said the 22-year-old Leinster full-back.

"We spoke about remembering last year's match at Twickenham more than Croke Park.

"There's a lot of hurt from last year because we got a good-old trouncing and now it's the time to set that right.

"But the England game of two years ago and its historical aspect has been talked about as well.

"I wasn't involved in that game but I can't wait to get a taste of it. This is a massive occasion and people want to be part of it.

"Ireland is a hugely patriotic country and with that comes a huge responsibility to ourselves and our country.

"It's important that we finish this match with the right message."

Losing at Twickenham sealed their worst championship performance since 1999 and compounded an abysmal 2007 World Cup, culminating in the demise of coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

O'Sullivan's successor Declan Kidney made a steady start during the autumn but Ireland have exploded into life during the tournament.

An opening-day victory over France established momentum that is expected to sweep them all the way to a Grand Slam decider against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on March 21.

"We've grown in confidence an enormous amount. I suppose that point (losing to England last year) was one of the lowest," said Kearney.

"We had to put it into the context of what happened at the World Cup and then there was the departure of Eddie O'Sullivan.

"It felt like things couldn't get any worse. We played well on the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia but we still lost both games.

"It does seem like a long time ago but we've got three successive wins under our belts since then. To make it a fourth is all that matters."

The dazzling form of Kearney alongside newly-established wingers Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe and No 8 Jamie Heaslip goes a long way to explaining Ireland's resurgence under Kidney.

The quartet have emerged as genuine British & Irish Lions contenders - a testament to the environment favoured by Kidney.

"I feel a lot more part of the team now in this year's Six Nations," said Kearney.

"Last year I was maybe more of a passenger. Declan stresses that 15 players have an equal right and I think that's fantastic.

"The Lions is far away but you dream about these things. It's the pinnacle of a player's career.

"It's only natural to look at the players out there but at the same time you thoughts can't move too far from the matter in hand."