Ireland vs England LIVE: Lionesses team news, line-ups and more ahead of Euro 2025 qualifier in Dublin

There will be no goalline technology or VAR in operation tonight. The experienced Lina Lehtovaara of Finland, who was part of the officiating team at last year’s World Cup, is the referee.

“It’s not down to an injury,” Wiegman confirms of Hannah Hampton’s selection ahead of Mary Earps. “We are in a luxury position of having two incredible goalkeepers. Hannah is doing a great job with Chelsea and has grown into a competition with Mary. This is a moment for her to shine.

“It’s really good to have Leah back as a leader, it’s great for her and the team. Hopefully she will enjoy.

“We think Ireland will drop deeper and the spaces will be small. Jess Park is good in tight space and we’ll play a lot higher with our midfield. It’s a good opportunity for them.”

A significant moment for the England captain as she makes a long-awaited return to the Lionesses starting side.

It was a relatively lonely night for Kyra Carusa in Metz last week, the striker an isolated figure leading the line for Ireland against France. Now playing in the NWSL with her hometown San Diego Wave after a short stint with the London City Lionesses last year, Carusa has the ability to cause England real problems, and should have more support with a slightly tweaked Irish system behind her.

There are plenty within the game that think it may not be too long before Hananh Hampton unseats Mary Earps as England’s number one, which would have been close to unthinkable after last summer’s World Cup. But Hampton’s outstanding Women’s Super League form for Chelsea is proving tougher and tougher to ignore, and she’s got youth on her side. Can she take her opportunity tonight?

There will be a moment of silence ahead of kick off tonight in the memory of the wife of Republic of Ireland assistant coach Colin Healy, who recently passed away. The hosts will be wearing black armbands.

The Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson was evidently pleased with himself. At the end of a frustrating night for the Lionesses at Wembley on Friday, Gerhardsson revealed how his side had managed to disrupt England’s midfield fulcrum Keira Walsh, leading to a sloppy performance in possession from the European champions. A few moments later, Sarina Wiegman dismissed the notion that Sweden and Gerhardsson had found the magic formula. Of course the visitors had a plan to stop Walsh, Wiegman replied. England have come to expect it every game.

There will be no surprises, then, as the Lionesses pick themselves up and travel to Dublin for their first fixture against the Republic of Ireland since 1987. A historic occasion awaits the hosts ahead of just their second match at the Aviva, with over 30,000 tickets sold for the Euro 2025 qualifier. England know what is coming: “Compact, physical, disciplined, good on the counterattack,” Wiegman explained. Or, in other words, exactly what the Lionesses struggled against when they were held by Sweden.

A couple of changes for Ireland from the defeat to France, with Lucy Quinn brought in to add extra attacking threat and Ruesha Littlejohn also promoted to the starting side.

Ireland XI: Brosnan; Payne, Hayes, Quinn, Patten, Mannion; Quinn, Littlejohn, O’Sullivan, McCabe (c); Carusa.

Hannah Hampton gets an opportunity in goal for England as Leah Williamson makes her first start since returning from her ACL tear.

England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter; Walsh, Toone, Park; James, Russo, Hemp.

Alessia Russo admitted after England’s draw with Sweden that the Lionesses needed to demand more from themselves, with Wembley slightly flatter than usual as the hosts failed to move through the gears. While Sarina Wiegman’s side had plenty of possession, clear chances were hard to come by, while the visitors’ focus on Keira Walsh seemed to work in preventing England from finding their flow. Will they be better in Dublin tonight?