The 2025 Six Nations is right here! The motion kicks off in Paris on Friday, however it will likely be in Dublin the place Eire tackle England that the weekend’s motion may attain a climax.
Eire are with out head coach Andy Farrell, who’s specializing in the British & Irish Lions, as they search a historic Six Nations three-peat. Of their manner on the opening weekend is a new-look facet England. One of many enduring moments of final 12 months’s championship was seeing Marcus Smith hit a last-gasp drop objective to trigger an enormous upset on this conflict. Can Steve Borthwick’s facet trigger one other shock this time spherical?
Right here is every thing it is advisable find out about Saturday’s conflict.
Key particulars:
When: Saturday, Feb. 1 at 4.45 p.m. UK
The place: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
How one can watch: You’ll be able to wach stay on the ITV (UK). It’s also possible to comply with together with stay updates on ESPN.
Officers: Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZ) & Hollie Davidson (Sco)
Tv Match Official: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Lineups:
Eire: Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain), Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Robbie Henshaw.
England: Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Cadan Murley, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Freddie Steward.
Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Willis, Harry Randall, Fin Smith.
Crew information:
1:32
Who ought to Eire play at No. 10 vs. England
ESPN’s Tom Hamilton and James Regan debate who ought to begin at fly-half for Eire for his or her Six Nations opener towards England.
Eire: The injured Joe McCarthy is a giant loss at lock for Eire, who’re already with out veteran prop Tadgh Furlong. In a comparatively settled squad, all eyes shall be on fly-half Sam Prendergast, who will get the nod over Jack Crowley as Eire proceed to adapt barely within the post-Johnny Sexton period.
The acquainted backline of wingers James Lowe and Mack Hansen, alongside fullback Hugo Keenan and the midfield pair of Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose shall be a consolation to Prendergast in what guarantees to be a fiercely aggressive Take a look at match.
No. 8 Caelan Doris will look to agency up his credentials as a possible British & Irish Lions captain. He strains up alongside Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier in the back of the scrum.
England: Steve Borthwick has sprung a variety shock within the back-row, with twins Tom and Ben Curry forming the again of the scrum alongside No. 8 Ben Earl. Chandler Cunningham-South will come off the bench. Luke Cowan-Dickie has been named to begin at hooker within the absence of Jamie George.
Crucially for England, Alex Mitchell has been named at scrum-half after overcoming a knee harm. He’ll line up alongside Marcus Smith at fly-half, with the settled midfield of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence.
25-year-old Cadan Murley will make his debut on the wing. Fin Smith has been named on the bench as fly-half substitute, which means there is no room within the squad for veteran George Ford.
1:23
When Martin Johnson and England refused to maneuver vs. Eire
Relive three basic Six Nations video games between Eire and England forward of the 2025 match this weekend.
Data from Reuters contributed to the workforce information of this report.
