England begin the 2025 Six Nations Championship with a trip to defending champions Ireland in what promises to be an extremely difficult opening game for Steve Borthwick’s team.
England made heavy weather of beating Italy and Wales in last year’s tournament, but a 23-22 victory over Ireland at Twickenham was the highlight of their campaign and denied the Irish a Grand Slam.
This year’s Six Nations is especially intriguing because it promises to shape selection for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia later this year, led by Andy Farrell as head coach.
When is Ireland v England?
Ireland host England on Saturday, February 1. The match will kick-off 4.45pm (GMT).
It is the third game of the opening Six Nations weekend, following France v Wales at 8.15pm on Friday, January 31, and Scotland v Italy at 2.15pm on the Saturday.
Where is Ireland v England taking place?
At the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Though a vociferous atmosphere is typically expected for a home fixture against England, a lack of noise at the 51,700-capacity stadium has been a talking point. Sky-high ticket prices and Ireland’s dominance over opponents are potential reasons for the subdued atmosphere. One thing we can be sure of is the home fans belting out The Cranberries’ hit Zombie as well as Fields of Athenry.
How to watch Ireland v England on TV?
It will be on ITV1. The BBC and ITV will once again share coverage of the Six Nations in the UK.
The future of the Six Nations on free-to-air television is uncertain, however, with TNT Sport lining up a bid for next year’s championship and BBC insiders saying that they do not expect to keep the tournament.
Who is the referee?
The match will be officiated by New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe. He has plenty of Test experience and will notch up his 50th game during this year’s Six Nations.
Referees at this year’s tournament have been told to stick to a strict interpretation of the breakdown laws, in an attempt to speed up play.
What is the England team news?
Borthwick has deployed the Curry twins, Tom and Ben, either side of Ben Earl in the back row. It is the first time the Currys have started together for England in a Test match.
Harlequins wing Cadan Murley, the Premiership’s top try-scorer in 2022-23, will make his England debut in the absence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Borthwick was forced into a drastic reshuffle of his Six Nations squad after Jamie George was among four players ruled out of England’s opener.
Northampton lock Alex Coles, Leicester scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and Harlequins No 8 Alex Dombrandt are unavailable for the Aviva Stadium game. Uncapped tearaway Henry Pollock has been called up.
However, Borthwick has been handed a boost with Alex Mitchell cleared to take part.
England’s Six Nations squad
Forwards: Fin Baxter, Ollie Chessum, Arthur Clark, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Maro Itoje (c), Curtis Langdon, George Martin, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Henry Pollock, Bevan Rodd, Will Stuart, Tom Willis.
Backs: Oscar Beard, Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Raffi Quirke, Harry Randall, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward.
Withdrawals: Alex Coles, Alex Dombrandt, Jamie George, Jack van Poortvleit
What is the Ireland team news?
Tadhg Furlong, the Ireland tighthead, has been ruled out of the England game after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain.
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed the news on Sunday evening, explaining that the 32-year-old Furlong would fly back to Dublin from the current training camp Quinta do Lago, Portugal, for further assessment.
Furlong picked up his latest ailment during training on Saturday, exacerbating what has been an immensely frustrating season for Furlong, who signed a contract extension with the IRFU late last year that will keep him in Ireland until the next World Cup in 2027.
He has played just three times for Leinster since the beginning of the campaign; against Benetton and Munster in the United Rugby Championship and against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup.
In brighter news for Easterby and Ireland, the Leinster trio of Jack Boyle, James Lowe and Dan Sheehan linked up with their group the Ireland squad on Sunday morning following a URC victory over the Stormers. That was Sheehan’s first run-out since damaging his ACL in the loss to South Africa last July and the explosive hooker found his way onto the scoresheet following a kick-pass from Lowe.
Ireland’s Six Nations squad
Forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (c), Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.
Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose.
When did Ireland and England last win the Six Nations?
Ireland last won the Six Nations in 2024, with England last claiming the title in 2020.
Ireland’s last Grand Slam was in 2023 and England’s was in 2016.
Ireland’s last Triple Crown was in 2023. England’s was in 2020.
What was the score last year?
Last year’s Six Nations saw England defeat Ireland 23-22 at Twickenham. England have to wait until the second round of matches to play their first Six Nations game at the renamed Allianz Stadium. Some England fans will not be using the new name.
What are the latest odds?
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Ireland to win: 4/11
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England to win: 12/5
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Draw: 25/1
