An English upset against Ireland on Saturday is about as likely as Donald Trump losing his fake tangerine tan.
However, witnessing France’s epic no-hoper victory over champions-elect New Zealand in the 1999 World Cup semi-final at Twickenham persuaded me that you should never say never.
England’s best chance is for Steve Borthwick to tear-up his selection script and begin again. Changes to the pack (see adjacent piece) must be accompanied by similar surgery to the backline, because it is essential England get all their best players into the starting 23.
In the back-line this means Alex Mitch...