Six Nations leaders Ireland are seeking their third straight victory of this year’s competition which would herald talk of the Grand Slam – especially following Wales’ defeat in France last night.

However, former national team captain Wood believes England have been building up the pressure on Ireland and feels being installed as clear favourites for the game may have an unsettling effect.

Wood told BBC Radio Five Live: “It’s been funny with an awful lot of the comments from England and England coaches and players trying to build the expectation for Ireland because I think everybody knows Ireland don’t really like the tag as favourites.

“You get (coach) Declan Kidney there, he is doing everything possible to deflect away from it. I think there is a feeling of unease and a bit of nerves.

“Ireland are a better team, are better players, and yet it is now getting a little bit nervous that maybe they could be ambushed by England.”

Wood also attempted to explain current skipper Brian O’Driscoll’s comment when asked about Johnson that “knowledge is knowing that tomato is a fruit, while wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”

Wood said: “I imagine he is now the proud possessor of a large wad of cash from his team-mates who bet him to see if he could say something odd.”

Asked if it was an attempt to undermine Johnson, Wood went on: “I don’t know if he is (undermining Johnson). He is definitely doing it for fun and he is probably trying to deflect away from the idea of talking about a coach who he played with and played under with the Lions and a guy he has huge respect for.

“He doesn’t really want to care about him or talk about him in any way: all Ireland want to do is concentrate and focus on themselves.”