Alex Goode will spearhead England’s counter-attack threat and ease the loss of Mike Brown for the pivotal Six Nations showdown with Ireland, Simon Zebo said yesterday.

Munster wing Zebo has warned Ireland to guard against Goode’s ability to join the line as an auxiliary playmaker when Joe Schmidt’s side take on England in Dublin on Sunday.

Saracens full-back Goode will replace Brown in England’s last line of defence, after the Harlequins flyer failed to recover from the concussion he suffered in the 47-17 victory over Italy.