There is substance to full-back Kearney’s claims with Ireland’s record against England in recent times outstanding – they have won eight of their last nine Championship meetings.

Kearney insists such a record is far from a fluke and highlights the superior strength of the Ireland team at present as another reason behind his optimism.

England will be hoping to sign-off Stuart Lancaster’s first Six Nations in charge with a fourth win of the Championships, having already seen off France, Italy and Scotland.

But Kearney is convinced it won’t be Lancaster’s men celebrating at the final whistle come Saturday evening.

“If you are winning so many games against them it probably means you’re a better side,” said Kearney. “I’d like to think that trend will continue on Saturday and that we remain the better team.

“England are probably outdoing themselves in this Six Nations in terms of the expectation levels they had coming into the competition.

“They have an inexperienced side and an inexperienced coaching panel as well, but they’ve outdone themselves and that victory in France showed what they can offer.

“The fact it’s on St Patrick’s Day just adds a little more spice to it. That’s not to say there’s not rivalry against all the other teams because there is, but there’s something about England fixtures that just spices things up.”