Hodgson has faced criticism after missing three kicks and a drop-goal during the narrow defeat to France at Twickenham last weekend, with some calls for him to be replaced.

Greenwood, who had an operation on his shoulder in December, has backed the Sale fly-half to bounce back from the disappointment for the Lansdowne Road clash on February 27.

Andy Robinsons side need to win to avoid their worst RBS 6 Nations start, and defeat could leave the current World Cup holders fighting to avoid the wooden spoon.

But Greenwood wants an end to the criticism of Hodgson, and believes the supporters should get behind Jonny Wilkinsons deputy.

I dont think they will change the side for Dublin, I think Charlie Hodgson will still be the number one kicker going to Lansdowne Road, Greenwood said.

And I, along with every other Englishman, should be behind him and supporting him, not thinking if only we had Wilko.

Part of Hodgsons difficulty is matching the standard set by Wilkinson before a knee injury ruled the Newcastle player out of the RBS 6 Nations openers.

Against Les Bleus Wilkinsons absence was apparent, with Hodgson abdicating responsibility for three long kicks, all of which were missed by Olly Barkley.

Leading 17-6 at half-time, Dimitri Yachvili led the French fightback with four second-half penalties to snatch victory.

Greenwood believes Englands problems are not limited to Hodgsons kicking, and the points should have sealed before Hodgsons drop-goal attempt from point-blank range.

The 32-year-old told the BBC: The game should not have been down to Charlie kicking goals, the game should have been over by then, we had enough possession and territorial domination to win the game.

Unfortunately he (Hodgson) will be made the scapegoat because he was the chap who was supposed to nudge the points over and keep the scoreboard ticking over. It was very difficult for him.

Points accumulated by Wilkinson played a major role in winning the 2003 World Cup - in particular his last-gasp drop-kick in the final against Australia - and Greenwood understands Hodgsons difficulty of deputising for Englands hero.

Greenwood added: He (Hodgson) is a top lad, he does it week-in and week-out for Sale and there is an expectation at Twickenham when there are 75,000 people there.

If a kick misses you can hear all the 75,000 brains think Jonny wouldnt have missed that. Youve got to live with that all the time.