Ireland take on England at Twickenham
(Getty Images)
Ireland can take themselves to the brink of history as they face England at Twickenham in round four of the Six Nations this afternoon.
No side has won back-to-back grand slams since Italy’s addition to the championship but Andy Farrell’s brilliant Ireland are so far on track to secure consecutive clean sweeps. An outstanding win over France in Marseille was followed by a dominant performance against Italy, and while scratchy in parts against Wales, the defending champions still had far too much for their visitors a fortnight ago in Dublin.
It leaves Ireland needing only a bonus-point victory here to lock up another tournament crown before they take on Scotland back at the Aviva Stadium next week. But Farrell will recognise the threat of an England side hurting from another disappointing Calcutta Cup showing and a team that has often relished being the underdogs.
It will take the best performance of the Steve Borthwick era to knock Ireland’s grand slam bid off course but the head coach has urged his side to attack the occasion as they seek a major upset at home.
Follow LIVE updates from England v Ireland in today’s blog below, and get the latest Six Nations odds and tips here:
England vs Ireland predictions: Six Nations tips, rugby betting odds & free bets
The question was posed this week as to whether this Ireland side is the greatest team in Six Nations history as they prepare to go to Twickenham to face England.
Ex-Wales captain Sam Warburton made the claim as Andy Farrell’s men aim to become the first side to win back-to-back grand slams since the tournament expanded.
And they are well on their way to achieving that goal, recording bonus-points wins over France, Italy and, most recently, Wales as part of a record-equalling 11-game winning run in the Six Nations.
No one has got close to Andy Farrell’s charges so far, their smallest winning margin being 21 points, and they are favoured by 12 on the handicap on rugby betting sites against England.
Here are our betting tips and predictions ahead of the clash:
Luke Baker9 March 2024 10:01
Ireland team news
Hugo Keenan returns to the Ireland side after injury in an otherwise familiar line-up. Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw continue in midfield with Garry Ringrose fit but unable to force his way in.
There are six forwards on the bench, but lock James Ryan will miss the rest of the tournament with a “freak” bicep injury suffered in training.
Ireland XV: 15 Hugo Keenan; 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe; 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Jack Conan; 22 Conor Murray, 23 Ciaran Frawley
Luke Baker9 March 2024 09:45
England team news
England hand a first international start to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso after a try-scoring cameo from the bench against Scotland, with Alex Mitchell also fit to return at scrum half.
George Martin adds extra weight to the tight five as Ollie Chessum shifts to the blindside to give Steve Borthwick three lineout jumpers. Marcus Smith is fit again and makes the bench, while Harlequins teammate Danny Care is set to win his 100th cap.
England XV: 15 George Furbank; 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Tommy Freeman; 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Dan Cole; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Alex Dombrandt; 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Elliot Daly
Luke Baker9 March 2024 09:30
England v Ireland odds and prediction
A narrow Ireland win. England 20-25 Ireland
Harry Latham-Coyle9 March 2024 09:20
How to watch England v Ireland
When is England vs Ireland?
England vs Ireland is due to kick off at 4.45pm GMT on Saturday 9 March at Twickenham.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 4.20pm GMT. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Luke Baker9 March 2024 09:10
Everything you need to know about England v Ireland
Ireland continue their pursuit of another Six Nations grand slam with a trip to Twickenham to take on England.
Andy Farrell’s side have secured three wins from three in this year’s championship and will secure another crown with a bonus-point win regardless of Scotland’s result against Italy.
But England showed during the World Cup that they are capable of pushing the world’s best sides close and will hope to again give Ireland problems.
Steve Borthwick’s team were right in the game until Freddie Steward’s sending off at the Aviva Stadium 12 months ago and will be backed by a home crowd expecting a better performance than the one produced in the Calcutta Cup.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Luke Baker9 March 2024 08:59
England v Ireland
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of England v Ireland in the Six Nations.
Ireland can wrap up the title with a bonus-point victory at Twickenham while England will want to start showing progress under Steve Borthwick and bounce back from a disappointing Calcutta Cup loss to Scotland last time out.
Stick with us for all the build-up and live coverage of the match itself.
Luke Baker8 March 2024 19:14
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
