Former England captain Martin Corry has backed Harlequins pair Danny Care and Nick Easter as a partnership to persist with ahead of Saturday’s clash with Ireland at Twickenham.

The pair have started both of their country’s Six Nations clashes thus far since Easter returned from injury having missed autumn internationals against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

The Quins number eight, Care and Ugo Monye are in England boss Martin Johnson’s team to face the Irish at the weekend as they bid to stay in the hunt for a first Grand Slam since 2003.

And Corry, who has backed under-fire fly-half Jonny Wilkinson to come good, reckons the fact his former Leicester Tigers team mate has been able to name a settled side is a major step forward.

“I think this is probably the first unchanged side Johnno has has the luxury of selecting since he has been in charge,” he said.

“It is not quite at full strength in some positions but it is a solid looking side. Importantly the combinations are looking solid and are beginning to build real understanding.

“The eight and nine looks a good partnership, while I believe the Wilkinson and Rikki Flutey pairing at ten and 12 is the combination to have in midfield.

“If you are forever chopping and changing the team, you are always going to be in transition. At some stage you have to settle on your 15 best players and stick with them.

“England didn’t play well against Italy, but if you can put a poor performance in and still come away with a win, things are heading in the right direction.

“Winning breeds confidence and I’ll take a 6-3 win for England at the weekend no matter how it comes.”

Corry was speaking ahead of Friday night’s England Legends v Ireland Legends at the Stoop - The Matt Hampson Trust and The Paralysed Rugby Players' Fund - which will see him pull on his boots for the first time since retiring from the game.

“We won’t playing with all the criticism of the senior England team - or the pressure - and all I can guarantee is tries and plenty of running rugby,” he added.

“I never thought I’d pull on my boots again, but it is a charity close to my heart and it should be a lot of fun.”