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Guinness Women's Six Nations: Ireland v England
Venue: Virgin Media Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 12 April Kick-off: 16:45 BST
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, iPlayer and online, listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and video highlights on BBC Sport website and app.
One win for a decade of dominance.
England face Ireland in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday in Cork, knowing victory would complete a clean sweep spanning 10 years.
Since Ireland's narrow victory over the Red Roses in 2015, the gap in professionalism and class between the sides has widened year-on-year.
The reality hit hardest in last year's Six Nations when John Mitchell's side recorded an 11th successive victory and their highest points win (88) over Ireland.
Over the past three championship games against Six Nations leaders England, Ireland have scored 10 points and conceded 205.
What was once a pivotal game in the chase for the title has become a one-sided affair.
However, 12 months is a long time in sport, and following a shock win over world champions New Zealand at WXV1 in October and a 54-12 thrashing of Italy to record a first away win in the Six Nations since 2021, Ireland welcome Mitchell's side with renewed confidence.
A new challenger has emerged to provide just the preparation the Red Roses need in their quest to win a legacy-defining World Cup later this year.
"Ireland's win over New Zealand was a massive result for them," England hooker Lark Atkin-Davies told BBC Sport. "All of us were watching it and were in a little bit of shock at how well they controlled that game.
"We thought Ireland are here to play. We want our games to be really competitive and for women's rugby that is what people come to watch, they come for really close games."
Mitchell has spoke about his goal to build "two teams" before the World Cup in August, while maintaining an unbeaten run that now spans 22 games.
With 13 changes to his starting XV from round one to two, the big question before round three was whether he would continue with his regular first-teamers that helped hammer Wales in Cardiff.
Only three changes have been made - one injury enforced following the loss of Mackenzie Carson for the rest of the tournament - and given the majority of the side played key roles in last year's WXV1 Grand Slam triumphs, it indicates that Mitchell believes his best are required to beat a resurgent Ireland.
Number eight Alex Matthews returns from suspension to replace 22-year-old Maddie Feaunati, who scored two tries in Cardiff and picked up player of the match in the opening round win over Italy in York.
Feaunati drops to the bench meaning there is no space for former captain Marlie Packer in the matchday squad for the second game running, as Sadia Kabeya retains her spot at open-side flanker, indicating the fearsome level of competition in the back row.
Matthews, 31, was part of England's last World Cup win in 2014 and has been a mainstay under Mitchell, delivering a player-of-the-match performance against France in Bordeaux to secure the Red Roses' third successive Grand Slam, before playing a key role at WXV1 to earn a nomination for last year's World Rugby women's player of the year.
"Alex is extremely focused on her craft and always wants to get better," said England attack coach Lou Meadows.
"Her ability to use her physicality but add another layer of skill on top of that so defences don't know what she is going to do, as both sides of the ball she knows how to create an impact, will mean she will come in absolutely flying."
Fly-half is another area that is hotly contested. In his biggest games so far as head coach, Mitchell has chosen Holly Aitchison to help develop the Red Roses' free-flowing running game.
But he started this Six Nations with Helena Rowland at 10 and Aitchison at inside centre before handing Saracens' Zoe Harrison her chance against Wales.
Harrison duly produced arguably her best performance since guiding England to the World Cup final in 2022 and has been rewarded with back-to-back starts.
The 26-year-old's superior tactical kicking game provides an extra dimension and Saturday offers Harrison another opportunity to show she is the best fly-half in the squad to deliver a complete performance.
England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews.
Replacements: Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland.
Ireland: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Higgins, Costigan (capt); O'Brien, Lane; O'Dowd, Jones, Djougang; Tuite, Wall; Hogan, King, Wafer.
Replacements: Moloney, McCarthy, Haney, Campbell, Moore, Reilly, Fowles, Elmes Kinlan.
Referee: Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (fra)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (sco)
