Tuesday 14 March 2017 11:06, UK
Sean Fitzpatrick says England face a "big challenge" against Ireland in their bid to set a new unbeaten Test record and clinch a second consecutive Grand Slam crown.
England defeated Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham to retain the Six Nations title, and register their 18th straight Test victory to equal New Zealand's run set from August 2015 to November 2016.
The All Blacks' run, which included their 2015 World Cup triumph, could be overtaken by England when they face Ireland in Dublin next week.
New Zealand's 18-game run was ended by Ireland in Chicago in November 2016, when Joe Schmidt's side created history in beating the All Blacks for the first time in 111 years, and Fitzpatrick has warned it will be anything but straightforward for Eddie Jones' side in Dublin.
"The game in Dublin will be the big challenge and a telling match for England," Fitzpatrick told the London Evening Standard.
"While I see England really challenging New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup, Ireland won't be that far behind. England cannot afford to get too far ahead of themselves.
"I didn't think anyone would get as close to the All Blacks' record so quickly. It is a great achievement and, like the All Blacks, England don't go away in games."
Despite beating all before them, the tier-one nation England have failed to meet in their unbeaten run is New Zealand.
The All Blacks won the last meeting against England 24-21 at Twickenham in November 2014 and, while paying compliment to their run under Eddie Jones, Fitzpatrick and Zinzan Brooke have admitted they would like to have seen England face the No 1 side in the world.
"He [Eddie Jones] has increased their skills and they look a lot more focused on what they are doing, and winning becomes a habit," Fitzpatrick added.
"You have to take your hat off to him and the way he is preparing the team.
"But it is very difficult to know how close England are to the All Blacks because they are not playing each other."
Brooke added: "To win 19 consecutive matches would be an achievement, but you have to beat the number one team in the world in that run.
"England can beat the All Blacks' record but you would have hoped that in those 19 matches they would have come across New Zealand. Ireland will chuck the kitchen sink at England in Dublin."
