England vs Ireland live: Ireland dominating after English mistakes in must-win Six Nations clash

England and Ireland meet in a must-win Six Nations clash as each looks to keep their title hopes alive.

The hosts’ 12-match winning run was brought shuddering to a halt on their latest off-day at Murrayfield last weekend, with defeat to Scotland ending their grand slam chances. Steve Borthwick has challenged his side to respond to a performance that fell below the levels shown over the last year, and England can ill-afford to lose again with tricky trips to Rome and Paris still to come in this campaign. Will they have cause to celebrate Maro Itoje’s 100th cap and a first start for Henry Pollock properly?

Ireland, beaten by France on the opening night, were given a mighty fright in Dublin by Italy, and it was a win that contained as many worries as positives. A switch at fly half, where Jack Crowley starts, perhaps reflects a team in transition, though there is heaps of talent and experience within Andy Farrell’s selection as they seek a big away success.

Follow all of the latest from Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium with our live blog below:

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England vs Ireland live

• England host Ireland in crunch clash in round three of the Six Nations | Live on ITV
• Referee Andrea Piardi forced off injured during first half, with Pierre Brousset replacing him
• 43' - TRY! Sheehan burrows over from close range after Pollock sent to sin-bin (ENG 7-29 IRE)
• 40' - TRY! England finally get on the board as Dingwall forces his way over in the corner (ENG 7-22 IRE)
• 30' - TRY! O'Brien streaks away for Ireland's third try (ENG 0-22 IRE)
• 27' - TRY! McCloskey breezes through a gap before Baloucoune strolls over out wide (ENG 0-15 IRE)
• 20' - TRY! England caught napping as Gibson-Park snipes over from quick-tap penalty (ENG 0-10 IRE)

England 7-29 Ireland, 52 mins

15:36 , Luke Baker

England secure the lineout and cries of “HEAVE” reverberate around Allianz Stadium. The maul puffs and pants but gets to within a couple of metres.

Ireland hold firm though and force a Van Poortvliet dart. HE gets stopped short and Jamie George is then pinged for a croc roll at the ruck. Another opportunity within five metres squandered. It’s remarkable.

Guy Pepper on for Curry in the England back row, while Genge also departs for Bevan Rodd

England 7-29 Ireland, 49 mins

15:33 , Luke Baker

Better from England, despite the 14 men, as they win back to back penalties to push into the Ireland 22.

Nick Timoney on in the Irish back row for Van der Flier

England 7-29 Ireland, 48 mins

15:31 , Luke Baker

An initial reset at the scrum (because, of course) before Ireland’s new prop pair struggle just as much as their predecessors. The Irish scrum is pressure, they left up and England win the penalty.

If every facet of England’s game was as good as their scrum currently is, their last two matches would look VERY different.

England 7-29 Ireland, 46 mins

15:29 , Luke Baker

Better defence from England as the white wall holds firm around the 22 and, after 10 phases, Ireland are pinged for a forward pass. A small win for the hosts and, boy, how they could do with more of those.

A couple of Ireland changes in the front row as Loughman and Furlong head off, with Tom O’Toole and Finlay Bealham on. Straight into a scrum for the new props

England 7-29 Ireland, 45 mins

15:28 , Luke Baker

Ireland win a penalty on halfway and immediately have another platform ont he edge of the 22 from the lineout.

It’s messy but Gibson-Park resets and gets his big ball-carriers to crash ahead. They expand to the left but Marcus Smith just about wraps up O’Brien as he tries to surge into the 22.

TRY! England 7-29 Ireland (Dan Sheehan, 43 mins)

15:26 , Luke Baker

Perhaps inevitably, Ireland score almost immediately after. Tp the penalty from five metres out to move within inches of the line.

Dan Sheehan picks up and the base and darts left, getting his body low and burrowing over the line. Too easy really.

Simple conversion added by Crowley and Ireland’s lead is immediately back up to 22 points

SIN-BIN! England 7-22 Ireland (Henry Pollock, 42 mins)

15:24 , Luke Baker

Ireland right on the England line, Henry Pollock tackles his man short but doesn’t release quickly enough. Cynical, penalty Ireland and 10 minutes in the bin for the blond-haired livewire. Terrible start to the half from England

England 7-22 Ireland, 42 mins

15:23 , Luke Baker

Miscommunication from England defending a high ball as Heyes finds himself underneath an Irish up-and-under but tries to leave it for an onrushing Arundell, only for Ireland to easily regather.

Doris then surges through a gap and Ireland are into the 22.

KICK-OFF! England 7-22 Ireland

15:20 , Luke Baker

Back underway at Twickenham as Crowley boots the ball long.

Does that try before half-time give England any hope? They need to eradicate the slew of basic errors in attack, defence, kicking and at the set-piece to stand any chance...

Half-time! England 7-22 Ireland

15:08 , Ciara Fearn

A late score gives England a small boost, but it’s been a tough half for Steve Borthwick’s side with Ireland leading by 15 points at the break.

England v Ireland referee forced off injured in crunch Six Nations clash

15:08 , Luke Baker

Players getting injured is an unfortunate by-product of the physicality of rugby but the Six Nations clash between England and Ireland saw the much rarer instance of a referee having to be replaced due to injury.

In the 29th minute of the clash at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, referee Andrea Piardi crumpled to the turf in the England 22 clutching his leg.

The Italian knew instantly that something was seriously wrong as he could be heard saying over the ref mic “yeah, I’m gone. I’m done.” After receiving some treatment from the medical teams, he called both captains – Maro Itoje, winning his 100th England cap, and Caelan Doris – over to him and confirmed a quadriceps issue.

“I’m done. My quad is gone. Best of luck for the rest of the game, guys,” Piardi could be heard saying before receiving consoling pats on the back from both players.

He was clapped off by the capacity crowd in southwest London and assistant referee Pierre Brousset jogged on to replace him for the rest of the game, with Craig Maxwell-Keys called to run the line in Brousset’s stead.

England v Ireland referee forced off injured in crunch Six Nations clash

TRY! England (Dingwall) 7-22 Ireland, 40 mins

15:05 , Ciara Fearn

Hooray! England finally have some points on the board.

England are pressing hard and finally break through with Marcus Smith offloading to Fraser Dingwall to dot down.

George Ford adds the conversion.

England 0-22 Ireland, 39 mins

15:03 , Ciara Fearn

Chaos reigns as England push again inside Ireland’s 22, but the ball hits the ground and McCarthy breaks away, only for the whistle to blow for a knock-on by McCarthy.

England make another first-half switch with Marcus Smith coming on for Freddie Steward, who has had a difficult game.

England 0-22 Ireland, 37 mins

15:01 , Ciara Fearn

England earn a penalty at the breakdown inside Ireland’s 22, and George Ford kicks for the corner.

The lineout goes astray, but a penalty is awarded after Maro Itoje is pulled down.

Back they go to the corner, driving over the front, but Ford is stopped just short of the line.

Tadhg Beirne secures the penalty for Ireland, leaving England with another wasted visit into the 22. Steward returns from the bin shortly after.

England 0-22 Ireland, 35 mins

14:59 , Ciara Fearn

Pollock wins a turnover at the breakdown, sending England surging downfield against a stretched Ireland defence.

George Ford charges into space and offloads to Tommy Freeman, but Gibson-Park makes a brilliant covering tackle to halt the move.

England 0-22 Ireland, 34 mins

14:57 , Ciara Fearn

Play resumes with England earning a midfield scrum with just four minutes to go before the hosts are back to a full 15 players.

TRY! England 0-22 Ireland (Tommy O'Brien), 30 mins

14:54 , Ciara Fearn

England are enduring a nightmare repeat from last week as Ireland carve through the defence with ease.

Down the left, Baloucoune makes the break off a clever dummy, timing his pass perfectly to release Tommy O'Brien on the outside, who crosses the England 22 to score.

Jack Crowley adds the conversion.

England 0-15 Ireland, 29 mins

14:51 , Ciara Fearn

England are struggling to get a foothold as Ireland burst from the kick-off, with Josh van der Flier charging into the England half.

The opportunity fizzles, though as a crossfield kick aimed at Baloucoune is safely claimed by Henry Arundell who calls a mark.

Play is then paused when referee Andrea Piardi is injured and replaced by Pierre Brousset.

England in bother

14:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

Trouble and strife for England after squandering all of those early chances. Losing Alex Mitchell so early is a major blow given how important the scrum half’s speed of ball is to their attack, and they were already struggling with their edge defence before losing Freddie Steward to the sin bin.

England 0-15 Ireland

14:48 , Ciara Fearn

Stuart McCloskey powers through Ollie Lawrence and drives Ireland deep into the English 22.

Brought down just five metres from the line, the ball is quickly recycled, allowing Baloucoune to dot down in the corner.

England’s misery is compounded as Steward is sent to the bin for cynically going off his feet to prevent quick ball, though he couldn’t stop the try.

Jack Crowley misses the conversion, but Ireland now lead by 15.

TRY! England 0-15 Ireland (Robert Baloucoune), 27 mins

14:46 , Ciara Fearn

Baloucoune dives over in the corner, extending Ireland’s lead and putting England further behind in this three-score contest.

England 0-10 Ireland, 26 mins

14:44 , Ciara Fearn

England make a switch in the backline with Mitchell coming off limping and van Poortvliet entering the game.

England 0-10 Ireland, 25 mins

14:43 , Ciara Fearn

Ireland are frustrated as a high ball is launched into England’s 22.

Steward and Tommy O'Brien both go up for it with Steward dropping the ball.

Gibson-Park scoops it up and charges toward the line, only for play to be stopped as O’Brien is penalised for taking Steward out in the air.

Ireland are visibly unhappy, believing it was a fair contest for the ball.

England 0-10 Ireland, 23 mins

14:42 , Ciara Fearn

Ireland go for the posts to extend their lead, but Jack Crowley’s 45-metre attempt drifts wide.

TRY! England 0-10 Ireland (Gibson-Park), 20 mins

14:37 , Ciara Fearn

Ireland take a firm lead!

O'Brien is immediately involved, driving through the England defence to carry the ball into the 22.

Ireland patiently work the phases across the field until England concede a penalty at the breakdown.

Seizing the opportunity, Gibson-Park takes a quick tap and races in for a try in the corner.

Jack Crowley then slots a superb touchline conversion.

England 0-3 Ireland

14:37 , Luke Baker

Not much to choose between the sides so far

England 0-3 Ireland, 19 mins

14:36 , Ciara Fearn

Ireland make an early switch as James Lowe appears unable to continue.

Tommy O'Brien comes on in his place.

England 0-3 Ireland, 18 mins

14:34 , Ciara Fearn

England are now pressing just five metres from the line, but Tommy Freeman and Ollie Lawrence are both held up short.

England 0-3 Ireland, 16 mins

14:30 , Ciara Fearn

England dominate the scrum forcing Ireland to concede under the pressure.

The crowd erupts at Allianz Stadium, but the cheers fade quickly as George Ford misfires, missing touch for a second time.

England 0-3 Ireland, 14 mins

14:30 , Ciara Fearn

England work through the phases and stretch the ball wide to pacey Henry Arundell, but he loses control under the tackle - easing the pressure on Ireland’s defence.

England 0-3 Ireland, 12 mins

14:26 , Ciara Fearn

Ireland hold firm as England push forward. Strong runs from Nick Pollock, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Lawrence take the hosts close to the try line, but Ireland repel every attack.

England’s pressure finally breaks down when George Ford’s pass out to Steward is knocked forward.

Penalty! England 0-3 Ireland (Crowley), 8 mins

14:23 , Ciara Fearn

Ireland open the scoring. England lose possession from the lineout, with McCarthy producing a superb steal.

Gibson-Park then slices through the defence, keeping England pinned on their line until the hosts infringe at the ruck.

Jack Crowley slots the penalty straight between the posts.

A messy start from England

14:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

That’s three slightly messy set-pieces from England, first pushing too early at the scrum, then throwing a wretched lineout and finally being turned over at the maul. Their squad have expressed real frustration about their start in Edinburgh this week, but they just look a little over-eager to get going here.

England 0-0 Ireland, 7 mins

14:21 , Ciara Fearn

England claim their first scrum penalty of the match after Ireland are penalised for wheeling.

George Ford taps and kicks to touch to clear from their 22.

England 0-0 Ireland, 5 mins

14:17 , Ciara Fearn

Ireland make their first serious foray into England’s 22, looking dangerous with numbers out wide.

James Lowe loses control and the ball drifts into touch, a costly unforced error and a reprieve for England.

Moments later, England concede a free-kick for early engagement at the scrum giving Ireland another opportunity. They work the ball strongly through the gain line before sending it back to Lowe, but once again he loses possession into touch.

England 0-0 Ireland, 2 mins

14:16 , Ciara Fearn

England’s first real attacking move breaks down when George Ford sees his chip blocked and the ball ricochet forward off an England hand.

It’s not all bad for the hosts, though, as they now have an opportunity to test Ireland’s scrum early.

Kick-off! England 0-0 Ireland

14:13 , Ciara Fearn

George Ford gets round three of the Six Nations underway at the Allianz Stadium and the Princess of Wales is in attendance.

Time for the anthems

14:07 , Ciara Fearn

England captain Maro Itoje leads the home side onto the pitch, marking his 100th cap.

The stage is set for the national anthems: “Ireland’s Call” first, followed by “God Save The King”.

Numbers behind the rivalry

14:05 , Ciara Fearn

Ireland have won eight of their last 10 away matches in the Men’s Six Nations though one of those defeats came on their most recent trip to Allianz Stadium.

They also lost their last away game in the Championship but have not suffered back-to-back road defeats in the tournament since 2019-21.

England are on a nine-match home winning run, their best sequence since 2015-18 a streak that was ended by Ireland.

At the set-piece England remain perfect on their own scrum feed (8/8) and have even claimed four against the head. Ireland’s strength has been at the breakdown with a joint-high 13 turnovers, including seven jackals.

Ben Earl leads the carry count after two rounds, while Stuart McCloskey has assisted 60 per cent of Ireland’s tries so far.

A game of fine margins and big moments

14:00 , Ciara Fearn

England’s clash with Ireland could hinge on a handful of decisive contributions and few players embody that better than Henry Arundell.

The winger leads this year’s Championship try charts with four, underlining his sharp finishing and game-breaking speed. Yet his campaign has also featured a costly red card in the Calcutta Cup.

Ireland arrive with their own form man in midfield. Stuart McCloskey, now 33, is enjoying a late-career surge at Test level and has emerged as one of the tournament’s most effective creators with three try assists.

But beyond the headline acts, the battle up front may prove decisive. Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan has been flawless at the lineout so far, marginally outpacing England’s reliable Luke Cowan-Dickie. In a contest where territory and possession will be fiercely contested that precision could make all the difference.

Match officials

13:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andrea Piardi is in charge today, a familiar face to both sides and Maro Itoje particularly after the events at the end of the second British and Irish Lions Test last summer.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)

Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (Fra) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)

Television Match Official: Matteo Liperini (Ita)

Foul Play Review Officer: Mike Adamson (Sco)

Lions friends become foes

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There were plenty of friendships forged between Lions Irish and English last summer with the two nations providing so much of Andy Farrell’s squad. Ellis Genge and Finlay Bealham, who could lock horns later, have even started a podcast together.

An area of particular interest today might be in the back five of the pack. Nine of the 10 starters on show toured Australia, with the exception being Caelan Doris - who may well have led the Lions if not for injury. This could be very tasty indeed.

How the Henry Pollock factor could help England bounce back against Ireland

13:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A first start for Henry Pollock comes with plenty of anticipation here at Twickenham, with plenty of headbands among his legion of young fans around the ground. Earlier this week, Steve Borthwick recalled his first memories of a teenage talent with a real steeliness who feels ready for this opportunity:

How the Henry Pollock factor could help England bounce back against Ireland

Scrum battle in focus

13:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The return of Tadhg Furlong to the Irish starting side comes with the visitors in need of improvement after some frailties were shown up in striking fashion by Italy. England have been going well in that area, though:

What is wrong with Ireland’s scrum and how can England exploit it?

Team news - Ireland

13:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jack Crowley starts at fly half for Ireland with Sam Prendergast left out of the matchday squad entirely after a difficult day against Italy. Experienced figures Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park all return to the starting side, while Garry Ringrose is fit to feature despite an injury scare last week and resumes his midfield partnership with Stuart McCloskey.

Somewhat surprisingly, there are just five forwards on the bench with no place for last week’s debutant Edwin Edogbo or Cormac Izuchukwu, impressive on the flank. Ciaran Frawley provides fly half, centre and full-back cover with Tommy O’Brien a wing option among the replacements.

There is a late change, too - Cian Prendergast steps in for an ill Jack Conan

Ireland XV: 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Jack Crowley; 11 James Lowe, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Robert Baloucoune; 15 Jamie Osborne.

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Nick Timoney, 20 Cian Prendergast; 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Tommy O’Brien.

Team news - England

13:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Henry Pollock will make his first Test start for England as part of a reshuffled back row that also includes Tom Curry, similarly promoted from the bench. With Pollock at No 8, Ben Earl slides across the openside, while there is a positional switch in the backline, too: Tommy Freeman moves out to the wing and Ollie Lawrence is brought into midfield.

Captain Maro Itoje will win his 100th cap for his country, becoming the ninth Englishman to reach the mark. Jack van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith provide backline cover on a six/two bench.

England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Ollie Chessum; 6 Tom Curry, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Henry Pollock; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 George Ford; 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Freddie Steward.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Sam Underhill; 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.

Six Nations 2026 schedule in full: Fixtures and results

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Need a reminder of all the Six Nations action so far and the fixtures to come in this campaign? We’ve got you covered.

Six Nations 2026 schedule in full: Fixtures and results

England's Tommy Freeman ‘struggled without realising it’ after Lions tour

12:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England‘s Tommy Freeman has revealed that an intervention from his Northampton coaches helped him through a slump following the British and Irish Lions tour.

Freeman started all three Tests in the 2-1 series victory over Australia that concluded on August 2 – alongside Maro Itoje and Tom Curry one of only three Englishman to do so – and still felt the effects when the new season began.

While physically he was recharged by the mandatory five-week rest period that followed the tour, Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson and head coach Sam Vesty spotted that his “mental state wasn’t in the best spot”.

A reduction in training and matches enabled the 24-year-old to negotiate the early part of 2025-26 and he went on to take part in England’s autumn campaign until he was affected by a hamstring niggle.

England centre Tommy Freeman ‘struggled without realising it’ after Lions tour

Andy Farrell hits out at Irish ‘keyboard warriors’ in emotional defence of Sam Prendergast

12:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andy Farrell had last week issued a strong criticism of what he described as “keyboard warriors” around the Sam Prendergast/Jack Crowley debate.

Andy Farrell hits out at ‘keyboard warriors’ in emotional defence of Sam Prendergast

Andy Farrell throws his support behind Ireland star targeted by ‘disgusting’ racist abuse

12:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Having left Edwin Edogbo out of his matchday 23, Andy Farrell also had a message of support for the lock.

Farrell throws his support behind Ireland star targeted by ‘disgusting’ racist abuse

Maro Itoje sounds warning over ‘corrosive’ impacts of social media after racist abuse of Ireland lock Edwin Edogbo

12:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More depressingly, Maro Itoje also spoke powerfully this week about racism and the dangers of social media following the abuse suffered by Edwin Edogbo, the Ireland lock, after his debut last weekend.

Itoje laments ‘sad’ racist abuse of Ireland lock and sounds warning over social media

The statistics and stories that show Maro Itoje’s brilliance as England captain reaches century of caps

12:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It will be a special day, meanwhile, for Maro Itoje as he becomes the ninth Englishman to hit 100 caps. Itoje will be sporting special boots for the occasion, and shared a few favourite memories from down the years this week.

The statistics that show Maro Itoje’s brilliance as England captain wins 100th cap

England know what was missing against Scotland – this Ireland challenge will decide their Six Nations fate

12:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We can expect to see a fired-up England in the opening quarter today, with recognition within the squad that they had not reached the requisite physical level in the first 15 minutes against Scotland.

The Ireland challenge that will decide England’s Six Nations fate

Inside the mind of George Ford – and a rebirth that defines England rugby

11:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

George Ford retains his starting fly half place ahead of Fin and Marcus Smith, backed to go again after a rare misstep in a redemptive year for the veteran. I found out what makes him tick:

Inside the mind of George Ford – and a rebirth that defines England rugby

Alex Mitchell explains what went wrong with George Ford’s costly blocked drop goal in Calcutta Cup

11:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It was a Marcus Smith drop goal that settled this fixture here two years ago, but an attempt to slot three points went awry for George Ford and England last weekend, resulting in a Scottish score. Don’t expect, though, England to go away from the tactic should ball be slow in the Irish 22.

Alex Mitchell explains what went wrong with George Ford’s costly blocked drop goal

How the TikTok generation are driving England forward

11:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Henry Pollock is one of a number of uber-confident kids coming through the English system. Getting the best out of them may be key to Steve Borthwick’s success, as we explained ahead of the Six Nations:

How the TikTok generation are driving England forward

How the Henry Pollock factor could help England bounce back against Ireland

11:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And here’s why England have turned to a sort of human Berocca to help cure their Edinburgh hangover:

How the Henry Pollock factor could help England bounce back against Ireland

Steve Borthwick shares his advice to Henry Pollock ahead of first England start

11:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another real character within the English squad is Henry Pollock, hard to miss with his bleached blond hair. Steve Borthwick sent a message of advice to the No 8 as he prepares for his first international start:

Steve Borthwick shares his advice to Henry Pollock ahead of first England start

Meet history buff Joe Heyes, the Leicester and England prop infatuated with Dan Cole

11:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Heyes has had to source more than 20 tickets at Twickenham today, largely for the friends and extended family of his Irish mother. He’s a fascinating, and charming, character, as I found out in November:

How history buff Heyes is continuing Leicester and England’s rich front-row lineage

England prop reveals Princess Anne mistook him for Traitors star Joe Marler before Calcutta Cup

10:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England’s scrum, meanwhile, has been going rather well. One of those looking to do the dismantling today will be Joe Heyes, among their most improved performers in the last 12 months - even if not everyone knows who he is just yet...

England prop reveals Princess Anne mistook him for Traitors star Marler

What is wrong with Ireland’s scrum? How England can exploit set piece advantage in Six Nations clash

10:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another major concern for Ireland from the Italy win was the performance of their scrum. What has gone wrong with their set-piece, and how might England exploit it?

What is wrong with Ireland’s scrum and how can England exploit it?

Andy Farrell backs Ireland’s Sam Prendergast to bounce back from being dropped

10:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland boss Andy Farrell backed Sam Prendergast to bounce back from being dropped as he admitted neither of his leading fly-halves were in particularly good form ahead of the Six Nations.

Prendergast has been left out of the matchday squad for today’s round-three clash away to England following a tough outing in last weekend’s tense 20-13 win over Italy.

Jack Crowley will start at Twickenham after his impressive cameo against the Azzurri, with Ciaran Frawley providing back-up from the bench.

Prendergast, 23, began six of Ireland’s last seven Six Nations fixtures and has been overlooked for a matchday 23 in the championship for the first time.

Andy Farrell backs Ireland’s Sam Prendergast to bounce back from being dropped

Sam Prendergast is not Ireland’s fly-half answer – it’s time for Jack Crowley

10:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There was little surprise when Jack Crowley was named at No 10 on Thursday. As Luke Baker explained earlier this week, the time had come to take Sam Prendergast out of the firing line:

Sam Prendergast is not Ireland’s fly-half answer – it’s time for Jack Crowley

Jack Crowley starts at fly half as Sam Prendergast left out of Ireland squad to face England

10:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

For Ireland, meanwhile, there is a change at fly half with Jack Crowley in and Sam Prendergast out of the 23 altogether.

Crowley starts at fly half as Prendergast left out of Ireland squad to face England

Henry Pollock to make first England start as Maro Itoje earns 100th cap against Ireland

10:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

For England, it’s a day of milestones - a first start for Henry Pollock, a century of caps for Maro Itoje:

Pollock to make first England start as Maro Itoje earns 100th cap against Ireland

England vs Ireland live

Thursday 19 February 2026 10:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s win or bust for England and Ireland as two Six Nations title hopefuls meet at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. Defeats to Scotland and France respectively mean that neither nation can afford another set-back if they are to challenge for the championship, leaving plenty on the line as round three kicks off.

The action gets underway at 2.10pm GMT.