venue: twickenham date: Saturday, March 9th kick off: 16:45 GMT |
coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live (first half on Sports Extra) and Radio Ulster. Text commentary and highlights from his website and app on BBC Sport. Watch on ITV1. |
A bonus point victory over England would give Ireland the chance to retain the title and win back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams for the first time.
A win would also make the Irish the first team to win 12 straight games in this tournament.
They are understandably heavy favorites to beat a still smart England team even after their win. Big loss to Scotland.
The Red Rose, who started with two wins, will be desperate to stop a campaign heading towards another halt.
If they lose against Ireland and away against France, they will end their run of four Six Nations tournaments with two wins in a row, but it will be their first painful setback since finishing third at the World Cup.
Manager Steve Borthwick has been criticized by pundits for relying too much on data after his side's attack failed again after the loss to Scotland.
Andy Farrell's Ireland are two wins away from becoming the only team to win back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations era, but there is no such problem.
team news
England: Head coach Steve Borthwick made three changes to his starting XI, with Immanuel Fay-Waboso making his first Test start in place of Elliot Daly. Scrum-half Danny Care is set to earn his 100th cap as a replacement for the refitted Alex Mitchell, who has been handed a starting role.
Lock George Martin replaced Ethan Rootes, Ollie Chetham switched to blindside flanker and Alex Dombrandt came on the bench in Martin's place. George Ford remains at fly-half, with the returning Marcus Smith in his place.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan was the only change from his start against Wales, returning from a knee injury at full-back.
As a result, Stuart McCloskey was dropped from the squad and Ciaran Frawley was placed on the bench.
Second-rower Ian Henderson has recovered from a toe problem and replaced James Ryan, who missed the last two games with a biceps injury.
Prop Oli Jaeger is not fit enough to join the squad, so Finlay Bealham will take his place. Center Gary Ringrose is not included in the Round 23 squad despite returning to fitness.
Commentator's notes
Andrew Cotter: Despite their recent form, there is a feeling that England may be able to cause problems for Ireland, but to do so they will need to at least match the power of the visiting nation. Martin's choice was therefore lock, with Chetham moving to the blindside.
Ford's direct and simple game plan may be their best chance for a home victory.
But Ireland are very distinct in their style of play and execution. There is also a continuum of choice.
Twickenham will be hoping England can at least excite the visiting nation, but it is very likely that Ireland will win again heading into the Championship.
Views from both sides
England head coach Steve Borthwick on Danny Care's chances of winning 100 caps: “Danny has made a huge contribution to British rugby and it is an incredible achievement to have reached this milestone. He is a fantastic player and someone who always puts the team first.”
“We are sure Saturday will be an emotional and memorable day for Danny and his family, and our team could not be more proud of his accomplishments.”
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said of England: “I look at the individuals, the way they're playing, the coaching staff, the plans they have, it's a great team that's ready to give everything they have.
“That makes them incredibly dangerous. We just have to prepare them to be at their best, but it's going to be a hell of a fight.
“If they are at their best, you would expect them to be as difficult to beat as anyone in world rugby.”
lineup
England: 15-Firbank, 14-Fayi-Waboso, 13-Slade, 12-Lawrence, 11-Freeman. 10-Ford, 9-Care. 1-Genge, 2-George (captain), 3-Cole, 4-Itoje, 5-Martin, 6-Chetham, 7-Underhill, 8-Earl.
Replacement: 16-Dunn, 17-Marler, 18-Stuart, 19-Dombrandt, 20-Cunningham-South, 21-Care, 22-Smith, 23-Daly.
Ireland: 15-Keenan, 14-Nash, 13-Henshaw, 12-Aki, 11-Low, 10-Crawley, 9-Gibson Park. 1-Porter, 2-Sheehan, 3-Furron, 4-McCarthy, 5-Beirne, 6-O'Mahony (captain), 7-Van der Flier, 8-Dries.
Replacement: 16-Kelleher, 17-Healy, 18-Bearum, 19-Henderson, 20-Baird, 21-Connan, 22-Murray, 23-McMcLoskey.
agreement of facts
face to face
- Ireland are the only team to win more than half of their Six Nations matches against England, with a record of 14 wins out of 24.
- Ireland are aiming to win five consecutive Tests against England for the first time since 1972-1976.
England
- England need to win one of their remaining two games to avoid a fourth successive Six Nations with just two wins out of five.
- In each of their last five Six Nations matches, they have been behind at half-time for the first time.
- Danny Care could become the sixth player to win 100 England caps, joining Jason Leonard, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Dan Cole and Courtney Rhodes.
- Ben Earl has had more carries than any other player (42).
Ireland
- They have conceded just 13 tries in 13 Six Nations games since the start of the 2022 tournament.
- So far, Ireland (95%) and England (92%) are the only teams with lineout success rates above 85%.
- Dan Sheehan's four tries are tied for the most by a forward in a single competition in the Championship (along with Imanol Harinordoki in 2004).
match official
Referee: Nika Amashkeli (Georgia)
Touch judge: Andrea Piardi (Italy) & Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)