What’s happening?
Ireland get their 2025 Guinness Six Nations campaign under way on Saturday against England in the last of the tournament’s opening round fixtures.
Where & When?
Ireland have hosting duties this time around, Steve Borthwick’s side travelling to the Aviva Stadium for a 4.45pm kick-off.
Where can I catch the game?
Ireland v England will be televised live on Virgin Media One, with coverage starting at 4pm. In the UK, it is broadcast on UTV/ITV1.
We’ll have live updates throughout the day on our live blog, as well as the full report after the game and all the post-match reaction and analysis.
Brian O’Driscoll says Ireland can make more sweet memories against France
Jack Conan and five of the best other unexpected stars of an enthralling Six Nations
Brian O’Driscoll doesn’t see Garry Ringrose changing his game because of red card
Gordon D’Arcy: Standards fell short against Wales, but there will be little unrest as players look to France
Before then, the tournament opener on Friday night between France and Wales (KO 8.15pm Irish time) will also be shown live on Virgin Media One, and Saturday’s 2.15pm start between Scotland and Italy will be live on RTÉ2.
Who will start at 10 for Ireland during the Six Nations?
Last time out
Ireland last met England at Twickenham in the penultimate round of the 2024 Six Nations. A late drop goal from Marcus Smith earned the home side a 23-22 win, ending Ireland’s pursuit of back-to-back Grand Slams.
Last five meetings
2024 Six Nations – England 23 Ireland 22
2023 World Cup warm-up – Ireland 29 England 10
2023 Six Nations – Ireland 29 England 16
2022 Six Nations – England 15 Ireland 32
2021 Six Nations – Ireland 32 England 18
Have we any team news yet?
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Robbie Henshaw.
ENGLAND: Freddie Steward; Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Cadan Murley; Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart; Maro Itoje (capt), George Martin; Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Ben Earl.
Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Willis, Harry Randall, Fin Smith.
What to watch out for?
Three in a row?
Ireland are out to claim an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title.
There was an element of wound-licking to last season, the squad looking to right the wrongs and dull the ache left by another World Cup quarter-final exit a few months earlier. Now the focus is back to the business of settling old scores with the neighbours.
Easterby subs in
With Andy Farrell taking time out to focus on his Lions duties ahead of this summer’s tour to Australia, Simon Easterby takes the reins for Ireland.
Continuity within the squad will help him along, but the expectation that comes with being the second-top ranked side in the world is a heavy weight to bear. Do a good job and who knows what opportunities lie ahead for Easterby.
Battle of the 10s
Has enough already been penned about who will wear 10 for Ireland? Probably, but when did that ever stop us.
After Johnny Sexton sailed off into his hard-earned retirement, Munster’s Jack Crowley commendably filled the void over the kicking tee in the Six Nations last season.
But now Leinster’s Sam Prendergast has entered the frame and when provincial loyalties are set aside the question as to who should be the starting pick does not come with a straightforward answer.
Tickets
Ireland v England at the Aviva on the opening weekend of the Six Nations, and on a bank holiday weekend to boot ... need you even ask?
As normal, tickets did not go on general sale, instead being distributed through clubs and provinces.
Earlier this month, Gerry Thornley reported that tickets for Ireland’s two home fixtures (v England this weekend and France on March 8th) were being resold for “vastly inflated prices” on resale websites.
[ Ireland v England Six Nations tickets selling for up to €2,480 on resale websitesOpens in new window ]
“One website is selling more than 600 tickets for prices ranging from €700 for seats in the upper tiers to €2,481 each for lower tier seats. These tickets also range in batches from four to 20 for the Ireland v England game at the Aviva Stadium,” Thornley wrote.
Under the Sale of Tickets Act 2021, reselling tickets for a “relevant event” at a “designated venue” (translation: a Six Nations match at the Aviva) for more than face value is a big no-no, so the IRFU said it is liaising with gardaí on the matter.
What’s the weather looking like?
Saturday is expected to be cloudy throughout the day with moderate southerly winds and temperatures hovering around 10 degrees.
