The England fly-halfs wayward goalkicking contributed towards a demoralising 18-17 RBS 6 Nations Championship defeat against unbeaten title contenders France last time out.

But the misfiring Hodgson, who arrived in Dublin last night accompanied by a vote of confidence from England kicking coach Dave Alred, will continue as an injured Jonny Wilkinsons deputy in the Lansdowne Road cauldron.

Ireland are on the scent of a third successive Six Nations victory this season, while England - crowned world champions just 15 months ago - face a fight for credibility.

Having finished second-best in Paris last term, then come unstuck against Wales and France, again, earlier this month, England will equal their worst losing Five or Six Nations run since 1987, should Ireland prevail.

Hodgson insists that he is ready for the biggest challenge of his career.

I am disappointed, but you cannot dwell on that, you have got to move on, said the Sale Sharks playmaker.

You cant go into a game feeling negative, or being negative.

I am looking forward to it, feeling positive and the main aim is to get a win in Dublin and spoil what the Irish think will be a grand slam year for them.

There will always be critics out there, there will always be doubters, but I dont think about that, I think about myself, added Hodgson, who has a Test match kicking success rate of only 64% since the 2003 World Cup.

People can have their opinions about whether I am good enough, but I will always look positively at myself and look forward to the challenge.