The Ireland squad, including coach Eddie O'Sullivan, is being hit by a fine imposed by O'Driscoll and collected by scrum-half Peter Stringer if they mention England and their confrontation at Lansdowne Road on Sunday, March 30.

The penalty may be a token amount but O'Driscoll is determined to keep his team concentrated on the immediate task of defeating Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

He said: "You can't look beyond Wales. If we look to England and we don't win against Wales then it makes it so much less of a game against England.

"If we keep our focus for Wales then we can wake up on Sunday morning and think about the next match.

"The easiest way to avoid all the hype about the Grand Slam is to put the ban on the E word and impose the fine.

"There is a fine every time it is mentioned. It hurts in the pocket first and foremost so you will remember it after that.

"It's a nominal amount but even Eddie has coughed up a couple of times.

"People have been good about it. We are focused on Wales and we know there's a good reason for the fine."