It’s getting closer and closer to 16:45 on Saturday when two old foes clash at the Aviva as Ireland host England in the 6 Nations.
Both teams have been named and they have caused some debate, but will the changes pay off?
The hosts and reigning Grand Slam champions have called on their big players, however Robbie Henshaw has been selected at full-back ahead of veteran 15 Rob Kearney.
Kearney has been recovering from an injury and returned to playing duties last weekend with Leinster as they hosted the Scarlets, but made a massive mistake leading to a try and isn’t ready in Schmidt’s eyes.
Instead, his Leinster team-mate, Henshaw, usually at centre, comes in and has opened up the selection battle for the World Cup later in the year.
Elsewhere on the park, captain Rory Best starts alongside Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong in a formidable front-three.
Behind them, Leinster duo Devin Toner and James Ryan partner up once more. While Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander and Josh van der Flier make up the pack, with van der Flier being preferred to Sean O’Brien at seven.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are the half-backs, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose continuing their championship winning partnership in the centre.
Last year’s top try scorer and player of the tournament, Jacob Stockdale, will be looking to continue his fine form at 11, with Keith Earls on the opposite wing, and Henshaw at 15.
The bench sees Dave Kilcoyne picked over Jack McGrath, and Quinn Roux gets a seat ahead of Ultan Dillane. Elsewhere, John Cooney is in line for his championship debut, and Jordan Larmour is selected as the 23rd man.
Here’s the Ireland team to play @EnglandRugby on Saturday.#TeamOfUs #IREvENG #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/JkUqun7IIj
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 31, 2025
If Ireland’s selection turned a few heads, England’s certainly raised some eyebrows with some debate as players battled for places.
Like Ireland, they have decided to pick a different full-back, with Elliot Daly starting ahead of Mike Brown, who, like Kearney fails to make his team’s 23.
The visitors have had a few boosts since their November series and none more so then having both Vunipola brothers at their disposal.
Mako Vunipola is joined in the front-row by Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler.
In the second-row Maro Itoje is partnered by George Kruis, who wins his place over the likes of Joe Lauchbury and Courtney Lawes.
The back-row is made up of Mark Wilson, Tom Curry, and Billy Vunipola. While Ben Youngs comes in at scrum-half alongside captain and fly-half Owen Farrell.
In the centre, Manu Tuilagi is in line for his first 6 Nations start in over five years, with Henry Slade by his side.
Jack Nowell has been rewarded for his impressive form at Exeter with a starting role at 11. Jonny May occupies the No 14 jersey, with Daly finishing the starting XV.
Their bench will have a significant role to play with the likes of Courtney Lawes, Nathan Hughes, George Ford, and Chris Ashton to call upon. Wasp’s Dan Robson is also in line for his test debut.
BREAKING | Your England team to face Ireland on Saturday in the #GuinnessSixNations
➡ https://t.co/OvATMGPtYw#IREvENG #CarryThemHome ? pic.twitter.com/CoiwYTZsTj
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) January 31, 2025
Speaking ahead of the match both coaches are confident and explained their decisions.
Ireland head coach, Joe Schmidt, has predicted an exciting match and believes the two teams will go toe to toe on Saturday.
“It will be exhilarating and edge of the seat. I don’t think there will be a huge amount between the teams. People are going to be entertained,” he said.
Schmidt will have made a few players sweat
with his logic behind the Henshaw selection too, admitting this may become a permanent
position for the Athlone native.
“Maybe even as a longer-term option with only 31 going to the World Cup you need guys who can be versatile. There is probably a little bit of that as well as Robbie being a good player and recognised fullback anyway,” he said.
His opposite number, Eddie Jones, has told the
media that his team is ready for Ireland and claim a first win in the Aviva since
2013.
“It is well documented no one thinks we can win but I can tell you everyone inside our camp believes we can win,” he said.
He added to Schmidt’s views on how the game
will plan out too, as his team look to end a three-game losing streak in the
competition and thinks the final minutes will be crucial.
“Traditionally England and Ireland games are always very close, they are tough affairs, there is a lot of emotion in the games so our ability to finish the game strongly is going to be vital,” he said.
Last year, this fixture saw Ireland claim a
24-15 victory and the Grand Slam with it, but it will be a different beast this
time around.
So, the teams have been named, the coaches
have had their say, players have been dropped, others have been given an
opportunity to impress in battle.
All that is left to do is wait and watch, as these two old foes are set to light up the Aviva on Saturday, with the winner gaining bragging rights and possibly the 6 Nations this year.
