Moody: Ireland hold the aces

LEWIS Moody still harbours doubts are that England ready to lift the Six Nations crown despite a confident and promising start to the campaign.

- GARY FITZGERALD

The former flanker and captain, who won 71 England caps, still believes Ireland hold all the aces having responded from their World Cup anguish to prove themselves worthy favourites to be northern hemisphere champions.

While some Twickenham fans aired their discontent at the dogged and dour win over Wales last weekend, Moody is "loving" the way England are now playing with such energy and a steely defensive base following the arrival of Felix Jones.

Steve Borthwick's side face their toughest test of the Championship so far when they try and end a three-match losing streak against Scotland on Saturday and World Cup winner Moody insists: "Of course England could win it but the gods have to align and they have to get everything perfect.