England v Ireland, Six Nations 2024: Kick-off time, how to watch today’s match and latest news
England face Ireland at Twickenham in the Six Nations as they look to bounce back from a sobering defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.
Steve Borthwick’s side were comprehensively outplayed in Edinburgh and now must ready to face an Ireland side who have looked very much the cream of the Six Nations crop thus far.
They were superb in dispatching Wales 31-7 in Dublin and now face a side they have not lost to for three-and-a-half years.
When is England v Ireland?
Scotland and England meet later today, Saturday, March 9. The match kicks off at 4.45pm (GMT).
Where is England v Ireland taking place?
At Twickenham, the home of English rugby.
How to watch Scotland v England on TV
The match will be broadcast live on ITV.
Who is the referee?
Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli will take charge of this one. Telegraph Sport has published a full guide to all the referees at this year’s tournament.
What is the latest team news?
ENGLAND
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will make his first start for England in Saturday’s clash with Ireland at Twickenham.
In an audacious selection by head coach Steve Borthwick, Feyi-Waboso will line-up on the right wing less than a year after playing for National League One side Taunton Titans.
The 21-year-old made his debut off the bench against Italy at the start of the tournament and also came on as a replacement for the round three defeat by Scotland, both appearances totalling 20 minutes.
Apart from scoring a try in his cameo at Murrayfield, the Exeter Chief showed significant promise and is chosen ahead of 67-cap veteran Elliot Daly, who is given the No 23 jersey instead.
Borthwick has made three changes in personnel and one positional switch following the 30-21 mauling in Edinburgh, but there is still no place for Freddie Steward at full-back with George Furbank continuing at 15.
England XV: Furbank; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George (capt), Cole, Itoje, Martin, Chessum, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Cunningham-South, Dombrandt, Care, M Smith, Daly.
IRELAND
Ireland have recalled “world-class” Hugo Keenan but will be without lock James Ryan for the remainder of the Six Nations.
Fit-again full-back Keenan replaces Ciaran Frawley in the only change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV after overcoming the knee issue which caused him to miss the 31-7 round-three win over Wales.
Lock Ryan, who has been reduced to a peripheral role during the championship, suffered a “freak” bicep injury in training on Wednesday and will sit out the trip to Twickenham, in addition to next week’s finale against Scotland.
Ulster second row Iain Henderson has recovered from a dislocated toe to take Ryan’s place on a bench which once again includes a six-two split of forwards and backs.
Ryan was strong contender to succeed Johnny Sexton as Ireland captain following the World Cup but the emergence of Leinster team-mate Joe McCarthy has limited him to just one start during this year’s tournament.
Prop Finlay Bealham and the versatile Frawley join Henderson among the replacements, with Oli Jager, who has a knee problem, and centre Stuart McCloskey dropping out of the match-day 23.
Garry Ringrose is fit following a shoulder injury but must wait for his first international appearance since the World Cup due to the impressive form of midfield pair Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki.
Ireland XV: H Keenan; C Nash, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J McCarthy, T Beirne, P O’Mahony (capt), J van der Flier, C Doris.
Replacements: R Kelleher, C Healy, F Bealham, I Henderson, R Baird, J Conan, C Murray, C Frawley.
England starting XV
Our experts pick their England teams to face Ireland - and you can too
What are the current standings?
When did England and Ireland last win the Six Nations?
Ireland are the defending champions, winning in 2023 (their first championship since 2018) whilst England last won in 2020. Ireland also won the Triple Crown and the Grand Slam in 2023. England’s most recent Grand Slam was in 2016 and Triple Crown in 2020.
What was the score last year?
Ireland 29 England 16. Ireland sealed the Grand Slam in some style with a final-day victory at the Aviva Stadium and on St Patrick’s weekend. A 14-man England did manage to claw it back to within one point in the second-half before Ireland’s superiority in numbers and quality showed.
What are the latest odds?
England to win: 9/2
Ireland to win: 2/9
Draw: 35/1
Odds correct as of March 9
