A maiden victory at Twickenham, however, is still awaiting Lancaster following Scott Williams' last-minute score when Wales came to town. Beat Ireland and the interim head coach's job application to permanently succeed Martin Johnson would become overwhelming.

There's much at stake too for Declan Kidney. While they have had too much firepower for winless Scotland and Italy, they came up short against France and Wales.

Victory would all but guarantee a successful campaign; defeat would leave their tally at just two wins and raise questions about the side's leadership in the absence of centre Brian O'Driscoll.

But whatever the result Lancaster is adamant his interim period should be judged a success after the toxic fallout of England's World Cup campaign.

"We are definitely heading in the right direction," he said. "Irrespective of what happens to the coaching team they can see that the South Africa tour is coming around the corner.

"You are trying to paint that long-term picture all the time and the ultimate long-term picture is 2015. We are moving in the right direction but there is still more to do.

"Our performance on and off the field has reflected a team that is focused, determined and proud to play for their country and developing.

"It goes back to the same mantra self belief and the team belief as opposed to listening to people outside. The players have always been at the right place.

"You can just tell from the body language and demeanour of the players there was no feeling of 'job done' after the France game and they will give their all for the team on Saturday."

Lancaster keeps changes to a minimum with the fit-again David Strettle replacing Charlie Sharples, who stood in for the Saracens wing in the victory over France.

Likewise Ireland make just one change as flanker Sean O'Brien regains his place in the back-row with Munster's Peter O'Mahony dropping to the bench despite an impressive outing against Scotland.

Whereas once a trip to Twickenham was filled with foreboding for Ireland, now it is seen as a far less frightening proposition having won on three of their last four trips to South West London, and seven out of their last eight Six Nations encounters.

Tries certainly have not been a problem for Kidney's side having already matched their tally of 13 touchdowns from 2009's Grand Slamming winning side. Leading the way has been winger Tommy Bowe who just needs one more try to match his opposite number Chris Ashton's record-equalling haul of six scores set in last year's tournament.

And with the match falling on St Patrick's Day, Bowe is adamant Kidney will not have to deliver a rousing pre-match teamtalk.

"With four matches in four weeks it has been tough, but no player needs any motivation going to Twickenham," he said.

"It is two form teams coming up against each other. The English will be delighted with their win in Paris and we were delighted with our win over Scotland so it is a huge match up.

"There's always lot of fuel to the fire in this match but there's a lot of motivation out there for us and we know we have a tough task ahead of us but we are confident we can do the job.

"We have got a good record and it will be a very difficult place to go and it is one of the places all professional players want to play in and come away with a win.

"Last time we went there we did very well and came away with a win so we have got to try and replicate that this weekend. "