Eddie O'Sullivan has appealed for calm in an attempt to diffuse mounting tension ahead of England's Croke Park debut on Saturday, writes DUNCAN BECH.

An electric atmosphere awaits England at the Gaelic Athletic Association-owned venue with debate raging over what reception their anthem ''God Save the Queen'' will receive.

The ground is steeped in history from the conflict between the two nations and provided the setting for 'Bloody Sunday' in 1920, when 14 civilians were killed by British soldiers.

Hill 16, the stadium's only terrace, was built from the rubble of O'Connell Street after it had been bombed by the British during the Easter Rising.

Many GAA members still object to the suspension of Rule 42, which prevents the staging of so-called 'foreign' games at Croke Park, and will oppose any extension to the year-long agreement that enables rugby and football to be played at the venue.

But Ireland coach O'Sullivan is confident England's arrival will be greeted with respect and requested a key moment in Irish sporting history is not over-hyped.

''People will have issues in principle with what will happen on Saturday and they have a right to have those issues,'' he said.

''It's understandable they want to express them. That's fine and healthy. It's free speech.

''But if I was to have a dig at anyone, it's at the media for gleefully fanning the flames - and not just the rugby media.

''With regards to the anthems, they have always been respected at Lansdowne Road. Our anthem has been respected wherever we've gone, and we hope that will be reciprocated.

''God Save the Queen was respected the last time it was played at Croke Park, at the Special Olympics three years ago.

''I expect it will be the same on Saturday. The one thing we can say about Irish sports fans is they're the best in the world.

''They're renowned for their capacity to embrace and be positive.''

But O'Sullivan refused to play down the importance of Saturday's encounter with the outcome shaping the rivals' Six Nations title aspirations.

''The Triple Crown is still alive and we could still win the championship. The Grand Slam has definitely gone, but there's no point dwelling on that,'' he said.

''It's a pivotal game in our championship. If we win we're right back in it. If we lose, our championship is dead in the water and we'll be fighting for a spot down the table.

''England also want to make it three out of three to keep them in the title race.''

Brian O'Driscoll has been restored to the starting line-up after missing the 20-17 defeat by France with a hamstring strain.

Ireland team: G Dempsey (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster) or I Boss (Ulster); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets), D Wallace (Munster), D Leamy (Munster).