Bath prop Matt Stevens will make his first England start, taking over at tighthead from injured Gloucester forward Phil Vickery after the 18-17 reversal against France last time out.

This game against Ireland will be massive, admitted Robinson. We recognise it is a must-win game for us this season.

Stevens, 22, made two appearances as a replacement on Englands tour to Australia and New Zealand last summer, and has gained Robinsons vote above his Bath colleague Duncan Bell.

I am thrilled for Matt, and I am confident he will grasp this opportunity and make his mark against Ireland, said Robinson.

He has impressed in training, and he has been building up to this for some time now.

Bell, who had ambitions of playing for Wales last year, is on the bench along with Leicester backs Andy Goode and Ollie Smith.

Tigers fly-half Goode, the Premierships top points scorer this season, is uncapped but will give England quality goalkicking cover - especially after the failings of Charlie Hodgson and Olly Barkley against France.

Goode takes over from Henry Paul among the substitutes, with centre Smith chosen instead of World Cup-winner Ben Cohen.

Robinson added: All three players (Bell, Goode and Smith) have shown outstanding form of late, most recently in the England A victory over France A, and for their club.

Selection beckons when players demonstrate such consistent ability.

Sale prop Andrew Sheridan, on the bench against France, was not considered because of a cut on the back of his ankle.

England are striving to avoid a fourth successive Six Nations defeat - a sequence of championship results they have not experienced since 1987.

England team to play Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship in Dublin on Sunday:

J Robinson (Sale Sharks, capt); M Cueto (Sale Sharks), J Noon (Newcastle), O Barkley (Bath), J Lewsey (Wasps); C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), H Ellis (Leicester); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), M Stevens (Bath), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester).

Replacements : A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), D Bell (Bath), S Borthwick (Bath), A Hazell (Gloucester), M Dawson (Wasps), A Goode (Leicester), O Smith (Leicester).