ENGLAND return to Twickenham on Saturday for their first meaningful game at the home of the sport since being crowned world champions, writes Sarah McQuillen.

Ireland's visit for the eagerly awaited Six Nations clash provides a double celebration for Salisbury rugby fans.

Saracens star Richard Hill, who began his career with Salisbury, is poised to win his 66th cap for Clive Woodward's team, while women's international Emily Cooke will make her debut appearance for her country on the hallowed turf as England take on their Irish counterparts.

With two wins apiece from their opening two games, England currently head both the men's and women's tables. Victory for both will go some way to ensuring they retain the crown.

Cooke described the weekend's game, which will earn her a 28th England cap, as "very exciting".

She said: "I missed out last time we played at Twickenham because of injury, so it will be a really special occasion for me."

There are no such injury troubles this time around.

Emily added: "I am training hard and feeling strong at the moment. I am really looking forward to it."

The women's campaign so far has gone according to plan, with convincing victories against Spain and Scotland. Of the Spain match, in which she scored a hat-trick of tries, Emily said: "Spain was good. It was good for us to get a win."

Scotland proved a trickier proposition, dragging England into a scrappy contest. "The video analysis afterwards was not a pretty sight," said Emily. "We made unforced errors and we have a lot to put right against Ireland."

But the Irish women's team are something of an unknown quantity.

"A few years ago they were a very weak side but they have changed. It is hard to know what sort of game it will be but it should give us a chance to try some new things. It is exciting and fortunately we tend to be able to rise to these big occasions."

Looking forward to the men's encounter, Richard Hill described Ireland as a significant threat.

He said: "The Irish pack have played consistently well. They are a very strong unit.

"We have been under pressure for a long time. We have a huge amount of pride in what we have achieved and none of us wants to let the side down.

"That is the pressure we live with and winning the World Cup has brought a little more."