He has the priceless ability to change direction without losing pace."While Moody settles into his grandstand seat at two o'clock this afternoon, Murphy will take up his position underneath one set of posts and meet the eye of four other Tigers in the England pack. The only time they have faced each other on a rugby field was in an Under-21 match."The likelihood is that I'll stay with Leicester," said Murphy. "My girlfriend's in London, so I'd probably rent from one of the guys Lewis has got his lovely fianc?to worry about now. There's no more fun for Lewis."Well, maybe just a bit of fun. With Murphy busy training in Dublin, the telephone has been buzzing with banter. But Moody is deadly serious over the threat Murphy represents to England's chances of victory."Will it be an advantage that the England boys know him? It's like the Irish saying they know Jason Robinson, and how to mark him."No one knows what Geordan's going to do because he's off the cuff.

We spend most afternoons in Starbucks in the town, having a coffee and a chit-chat."Moody would have given his right arm to be pulling on the white jersey at Lansdowne Road, but his shoulder said otherwise. An operation that followed his appearance in England's first Six Nations match against France has put him out of action until June at the earliest.Murphy lasted only the first eight minutes of last year's match at Twickenham, whereas Moody appeared in the second half of England's 45-11 win. Murphy comes from a large family – Ross, one of his four brothers, is putting Moody up during his visit – and a happy home away from home would, you sense, be important to him."Geordie can't drive," said Moody, in mock put-upon tones, "so he has to come with me wherever I go. "Whoever wins, I'll be happy, because if Ireland do it, I'll feel good for Geordie."Murphy smiled at the kind words, but pointed out: "I'd say if Lewis was playing it'd be a different kettle of fish."Murphy joined Leicester in 1997, and began house-sharing with Moody in the city a couple of years later They were both 20. Throw in an impending Anglo-Irish Grand Slam face-off, and a Life Laundry moment surely beckons.No chance.

Clubmates, housemates – just mates – Murphy and Moody are not about to let a little thing like a Six Nations decider come between them."I'll be over in Dublin," said Moody, who might have been playing for England but for an injured shoulder. Geordan Murphy, Ireland's full-back, has been ensconced in England as a Leicester player for almost six years, but the house he bought and shared with a fellow Tiger, Lewis Moody, is on the market It could be the end of a beautiful friendship. It could be the end of a beautiful friendship. 30 Mar: Ireland 6 England 42.GRAND SLAMS WINS England 12 Wales 8 France 7 Scotland 3 Ireland 1ENGLAND'S GRAND SLAMS: 1913, 1914, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1928, 1957, 1980, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2003.CHAMPIONSHIP WINS England 25 Wales 22 Scotland 14 France 13 Ireland 10Only outright wins included; tournament began in 1883. Pat McGarry, another who helped out with the Under-16s, claimed: "Of course Jason's Irish," with Kelly adding: "His family comes from Dublin originally."SIX NATIONS FINAL TABLE PWDLFATPts England5500173461810 Ireland540111997108 France530215375176 Scotland52038116174 Italy5104100185122 Wales500582144100 RESULTS: 15 February: England 25 France 17; Italy 30 Wales 22 16 Feb: Scotland 6 Ireland 36 22 Feb: Italy 13 Ireland 37; Wales 9 England 26 23 Feb: France 38 Scotland 3 8 Mar: Ireland 15 France 12; Scotland 30 Wales 22 9 Mar: England 40 Italy 5 22 Mar: Wales 24 Ireland 25; England 40 Scotland 9 23 Mar: Italy 27 France 53 29 Mar: France 33 Wales 5; Scotland 33 Italy 25.