Ireland vs England Preview & Prediction | 2025 Six Nations Championship

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The first weekend of 2025 Six Nations action comes to a close as back-to-back champions Ireland begin the defence of their crown against the only side who defeated them in last year’s iteration.

Start date/time: Saturday 1st February, 2025: UK – 4:45pm / US ET – 11:45am / US PT – 8:45am

How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – ITVX / US – Peacock

Ireland Form: Back-to-back champions

Defending champions Ireland are aiming to become the first side to record an outright ‘threepeat’ in the Six Nations Championship, although the corresponding fixture last year saw them denied a second successive Grand Slam with third-placed England recording a last-gasp win.

Simon Easterby is taking temporary charge of Ireland for this campaign due to Andy Farrell focusing on preparations for the British and Irish Lions tour.

Last Five: WLWWW

England Form: Rebuilding

November’s Autumn Nations Series certainly didn’t go to plan for England, who lost to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, although they restored some pride with a resounding 59-14 victory over Japan that ended a five-game losing streak.

England are seeking their first Six Nations title since 2020, but head coach Steve Borthwick is undoubtedly under pressure and a poor campaign could see him relieved of his duties. Indeed, the talk is that England need to win at least three of their five games if Borthwick is to stay in post.

Last Five: LLLLW

Ireland Team News: Joe McCarthy out of opener

Squad: H Keenan (Leinster); M Hansen (Connacht), G Ringrose (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Lowe (Leinster); S Prendergast (Leinster), J Gibson-Park (Leinster); A Porter (Leinster), R Kelleher (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), J Ryan (Leinster), T Beirne (Munster), R Baird (Leinster), J Van der Flier (Leinster), C Doris (Leinster, capt)

Replacements: D Sheehan (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), J Conan (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J Crowley (Munster), R Henshaw (Leinster)

England Team News: Curry brothers to both start

Squad: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje (c) 5 George Martin, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Ben Curry, 8 Ben Earl

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Tom Willis, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Fin Smith

Ireland vs England Prediction

The fact that Andy Farrell will not be coaching Ireland for this Six Nations Championship has given the other nations some hope that they can prevent the defending champions from winning a third straight title, but the fact of the matter is that Ireland boast some immense talent in their ranks and they will take some beating over the next couple of months.

In front of an expectant home crowd in Dublin though, Ireland will be determined to put those doubts to bed and open their defence with victory over the only side who defeated them in last year’s championship.

With revenge on their mind, expect a fast start from the hosts, who are likely to be leading at both half-time and full-time.

Ireland vs England Tip: Double result – Ireland / Ireland