Ireland host England as Six Nations opening weekend concludes with a blockbuster clash in Dublin this afternoon. The hosts are the reigning back-to-back champions of this competition, denied historic consecutive Grand Slams only by Marcus Smith’s last-gasp drop goal in a Twickenham thriller last March. Now they will be looking for revenge for that defeat and quickly answer favourites France’s 43-0 demolition of Wales on Friday night.
It is a hugely difficult start to his third Six Nations campaign in charge for Steve Borthwick, who is under pressure for results after England, despite leading in several games against the world’s best teams and pushing them all close, won just five of their 12 Tests in 2024. Today’s showdown is followed by the visit of France and Scotland, so there is no chance of easing themselves into the tournament.
Borthwick has sprung a few selection surprises for this game with both Curry twins starting and a debut for Cadan Murley, while Ireland’s stand-in boss Simon Easterby - filling in for Lions coach Andy Farrell - has picked Sam Prendergast at fly-half. Follow Ireland vs England live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium!
Ireland vs England latest news
- PENALTY! Smith extends English lead before half-time
- TRY! Gibson-Park hits back but conversion missed
- YELLOW CARD! Marcus Smith sent to sin bin
- NO TRY! Kelleher reply for Ireland ruled out
- TRY! Murley scores early on England debut
- Ireland vs England lineups
Ireland 5-10 England
17:42 , George FloodEngland defended admirably with 14 men for the most part with Smith in the bin, despite the penalties racked up.
But they could not hold out completely in the end with Gibson-Park stepping and scoring after a fine Lowe break.
Brilliant try. Mitchell won’t want to see it again on Monday...
James Lowe 🤝 Jamison Gibson-Park
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 1, 2025
Lowe skips past Alex Mitchell before some SUPERB footwork from Gibson-Park to score ⚡
Game on.#GuinnessM6N | #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/IOvvTZmxJ6
Ireland 5-10 England
17:40 , George FloodWhat a way to start your England career for Cadan Murley.
A try inside the first 10 minutes...
🌹 ENGLAND LEAD IN DUBLIN!
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 1, 2025
Cadan Murley latches onto Henry Salde grubber to score on debut 🔥#GuinnessM6N | #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/hz586AA4UV
Ireland 5-10 England
17:36 , George FloodHalf-time
PENALTY! Ireland 5-10 England | Marcus Smith 41'
17:35 , George Flood41 mins: No mistake with a straightforward kick from England’s fly-half.
The visitors will take a five-point lead into the break.
Ireland 5-7 England
17:35 , George Flood39 mins: A great response from England as Smith tees up Earl for a trademark burst through the middle.
Keenan makes a vital tackle, but England have a penalty right on the stroke of half-time.
Itoje points to the posts...
Ireland 5-7 England
17:3338 mins: England are ending the first half on the up, back to a full 15.
But Will Stuart has taken a knock and is replaced in the front row by Joe Heyes.
TRY! Ireland 5-7 England | Jamison Gibson-Park 35'
17:29 , George Flood35 mins: Finally Ireland make that numerical advantage count!
Lowe bursts through the attempted tackle of Mitchell with an explosive break and finds scrum-half Gibson-Park, who leaves Steward for dead with the nastiest of steps before running in to put the hosts on the board.
A poor conversion from Prendergast goes wide left.
England still lead. Smith back on very shortly.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:26 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium
England's defence has been impressive and dogged, but deary me, some of this handling and decision-making from Ireland in attack is woeful.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:26 , George Flood33 mins: England defend the rolling maul well and Ireland shift the ball out left in a bid to find a gap in this undermanned defence.
But they are just lacking that usual fluency and ruthlessness in attack as a pass is behind Keenan and spilled by the full-back.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:2432 mins: England are whistled for offside again as they continue to give up penalties with Ireland on the offensive.
Prendergast kicks to the corner.
Three minutes left on Smith’s yellow card...
Ireland 0-7 England
17:23 , George Flood30 mins: Now it’s a knock-on from Ireland that halts their latest attack after Cowan-Dickie’s disappointing lineout throw.
They will be hugely disappointed if they can’t get on the scoreboard here with Smith on the sidelines.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:21 , George Flood28 mins: Another major defensive stand inside their own 22 from England’s 14 men, with Tom Curry getting the penalty at the breakdown after Ireland had tried to set up Hansen down that right-hand side once more.
Some effort from England, with their defence so heavily criticised in the autumn.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:20 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium
A huge 10 minutes coming up for England now, down to 14 and without their conductor.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:18 , George Flood26 mins: Not initially they can’t, Smith roaring on the sidelines after a defensive penalty won in front of their own line.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:1725 mins: England are down to 14 men as Marcus Smith commits their latest infringement under more serious pressure after a fabulous run down the right from Hansen, teed up by Prendergast.
Borthwick’s side without their influential fly-half for the next 10 minutes.
Can Ireland take advantage?
Ireland 0-7 England
17:15 , George Flood23 mins: The kicking battle is very much in full flow once again as both sides look to exploit the space in behind.
A lovely aerial take from high-ball specialist Steward sets England the platform for another attack, but Beirne wins a timely penalty at the breakdown to relieve the pressure.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:1220 mins: The dangerous Murley has ball in hand again as he looks to attack down the right flank.
He tries the littler grubber, but both player and ball end up in touch.
An intriguing early battle at scrum time at the Aviva.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:10 , George Flood19 mins: Lovely hit from Itoje on Bealham and England are off to the races, but it’s pulled back for a knock-on.
The visitors denied a nailed-on second score in this first quarter.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:08 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium
Football could learn from the TMO here, such a benefit being able to hear what the referee is saying in the stadium - even if those here do not agree with it!
Ireland 0-7 England
17:06 , George Flood17 mins: TRY disallowed!
Beirne is off his feet and then holds Itoje at the back of the ruck.
A quick decision reached after a TMO check, with O’Keeffe announcing it on microphone to the crowd, who aren’t happy.
Hansen is coming back on for Ireland here. Turns out it was a blood substitute that is being reversed.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:05 , George Flood16 mins: Hooker Kelleher picks up and goes over from close range as the Irish pressure finally tells!
But hang on, referee O'Keeffe wants to look at a potential infringement here...
Ireland 0-7 England
17:03 , George Flood15 mins: Infringements galore from the England defence now as they seriously creak under the relentless Irish pressure.
More offsides, playing the scrum-half and diving over the ruck.
Itoje is warned that another penalty will lead to a yellow card.
Ireland had been pushed back after a tap and go from Prendergast.
Here they come again...
Ireland 0-7 England
17:02 , George Flood13 mins: England are hugely under pressure now as another sustained Ireland attack near the line leads to an offside call.
Ireland 0-7 England
17:00 , George Flood11 mins: Ireland get the better of the opening scrum, which takes a while to get set.
Here come the hosts attacking properly for the first time, with England defending well until Lawrence gives up the penalty.
Ireland kick for the corner. Here comes the rolling maul...
Ireland 0-7 England
16:58 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium
What a moment for Cadan Murley. Borthwick was talking up his ability as a finisher earlier this week - and you can see it there. Proper poacher.
TRY! Ireland 0-7 England | Cadan Murley 9'
16:579 mins: England strike first to reward their positive start in Dublin!
It’s a great break from powerful centre Lawrence.
Smith finds Slade, who aims a lovely little grubber in behind for Murley to scoop up and touch down on his debut.
Smith successfully converts.
Ireland 0-0 England
16:54 , George Flood5 mins: England’s shortage of lineout jumpers showing as they lose one early on.
They are doing well in the collisions here though, applying impressive speed and intensity around the park.
England have the edge at the breakdown so far with those three opensides in the back row.
Smith eager to put boot to ball and put the Irish defence under pressure when he has the chance.
Ireland 0-0 England
16:51 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium
A bright start from England, with Marcus Smith unsurprisingly at the heart of it.
England not afraid to run at Ireland from deep it seems.
Ireland 0-0 England
16:51 , George Flood4 mins: All a bit messy now with possession quickly changing hands after another lineout on the near side.
Hansen won’t be able to continue here.
Robbie Henshaw is already on, so that’s going to be Ringrose out to the wing.
An early blow for Ireland.
Ireland 0-0 England
16:50 , George Flood3 mins: Plenty of kicks and chasing early doors from both sides, with England now attacking with Mack Hansen down injured.
Marcus Smith tries a cross-field kick out right for Tom Curry, but it’s overcooked.
Smith led a lovely break earlier and whipped out a fine pass to Freeman.
This is good from England so far.
Ireland 0-0 England
16:48 , George Flood2 mins: England show their attacking intent from the first whistle as Ireland then safely take in their first lineout ball.
An early test for debutant Murley under the high ball, which he passes.
Ireland vs England
16:47 , George FloodHere we go!
England already on the front foot from the off...
Ireland vs England
16:46 , George FloodTypically rousing stuff with the anthems.
Kick-off now imminent at the Aviva!
New Zealander Ben O'Keeffe is the referee.
The national anthems singer is now belting out The Fields of Athenry...
Ireland vs England
16:41 , George FloodHere come the teams!
Brilliant noise and a huge moment for Itoje as he leads England out as captain for the very first time.
This has the feel of a massive occasion, as ever with Ireland vs England in the Six Nations.
Time for the national anthems, with God Save the King up first.
Ireland vs England
16:39‘Right Here, Right Now’ by Fatboy Slim is blaring out at the Aviva with the pyrotechnics already going off amid a superb atmosphere.
Itoje leads England from the dressing room to the tunnel.
Ireland vs England
16:31 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium
England finish their warm-up with Itoje giving a rousing team talk.
He has vowed to lead by example, but that looked like a passionate speech from the new skipper.
Andy Farrell in attendance at Aviva Stadium
16:31 , George FloodTelevision cameras show Andy Farrell up in the stands at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.
No pressure on Simon Easterby!
You wonder how much influence Farrell might still have on this Ireland campaign, despite technically standing back temporarily to prepare for the Lions’ summer tour of Australia.
Sam Prendergast wins battle with Jack Crowley... for now
16:19 , George FloodIn the post-Johnny Sexton era, Sam Prendergast vs Jack Crowley is the major fly-half debate in Ireland.
Leinster’s Prendergast, who turns 22 during the Six Nations, closed the autumn in possession of the No10 shirt and retains it this weekend after more fine performances at club level.
It’s a huge afternoon for him here, anything other than a strong performance will no doubt see calls for Munster’s more experienced Crowley to come back in.
Ireland vs England
16:14 , George FloodPre-match thoughts from Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium...
🗣️ "England will hope they have the speed to knock Ireland off their rhythm."@sr_collings is in position at the Aviva Stadium to preview the headline tie of opening weekend
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) February 1, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/Vdw8aRm25G#IREvENG | #SixNations | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/mrCxUlRfA1
Huw Jones hat-trick as Scotland see off Italy fightback
16:08 , George FloodIt’s all over at Murrayfield, where Scotland have kicked off their Six Nations campaign with a hard-fought and thrilling 31-19 win over Italy.
The Azzurri fought back from a 19-9 half-time deficit to level the match after an intercept try from centre Juan Ignacio Brex and more Tommaso Allan penalties.
However, Huw Jones completed his hat-trick with two scores after the hour mark to seal victory for Gregor Townsend’s men.
Jones needed to step up even more in the absence of injured captain Sione Tuipulotu and the Glasgow man has done just that.
Scotland host Ireland next in round two, while Italy entertain Wales in a massive game.
Ireland vs England
15:56 , George FloodStandard Sport correspondent Simon Collings is in position at the Aviva Stadium.
We’ll be getting his pre-match thoughts very shortly...
In Dublin for Ireland v England - should be a cracker 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RplyWlOKfs
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) February 1, 2025
Easterby: Ireland must use home-field advantage
15:52 , George FloodAlso a big afternoon of course for Simon Easterby, the former Ireland back-rower and forwards and defence coach who is leading the Men in Green for this Six Nations with Andy Farrell on sojourn with the Lions - whose upcoming summer tour to Australia adds another massive layer of intrigue to the competition as a whole.
He is helped by Ireland’s remarkable home record which has seen them win 28 of their last 30 games in Dublin, with their sloppy 23-13 autumn defeat by the All Blacks representing a first loss in front of their own fans since 2021.
It feels silly to ask questions of a team that were a whisker away from recording historic back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams 12 months ago, but Ireland will be eager to issue a firm riposte to claims over a potential slight regression after a bit of an underwhelming autumn.
"I don't expect this place to be anything other than bouncing," Easterby said of the atmosphere at the Aviva.
"It is England at home, first game of the Six Nations. It is so exciting to have this first up.
"When we play well and give the crowd that type of experience on the pitch, they have bought into it and generated a great atmosphere.
"So we have a responsibility as a team to ensure that we get the crowd onside and use that to our advantage."
Here’s England arriving at the Aviva Stadium earlier this afternoon...
Boys in the house 👊@O2 | #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/mC2ZsbBXqA
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 1, 2025
Lineout questions as Borthwick gambles with back-row selection
15:29 , George FloodMany feel today’s game will be decided with the kicking and aerial battle and who wins the physical contest.
Whether star tighthead Tadhg Furlong’s continued absence makes the scrum an area for England to target remains to be seen, but the lineout is likely to play a crucial role.
It has been a rare weakness in the Irish arsenal of late, but despite that Steve Borthwick has gambled by picking three opensides in the back row with the Curry twins and Ben Earl, prioritising mobility around the pitch and breakdown work in a bid to knock Ireland out of their rhythm.
It could be costly at the lineout, though Maro Itoje insists England still have enough to win that particular battle.
"We have enough line-out jumpers. The line-out is a massive part of the game and we have a well-oiled machine," he said.
"If you were to look at our statistics over the last autumn, it's an area that we're pretty strong at in terms of ball winning.
"Ireland have got a good lineout, they've always had a good lineout. We're built differently, we want to go about the game in a different way, but the set-piece is massive for us as well and I think we'll do well."
Aviva Stadium ready to go
15:20The calm before the storm in Dublin, where conditions are overcast and cloudy with no rain and low winds.
Shouldn’t be any impact from the weather on today’s huge game, which is what we like to see.
This place will be absolutely bouncing very soon.
Maro Itoje: England ready to go with 'clear plan'
15:15Today is obviously a huge day in the career of Maro Itoje.
Some eyebrows were raised when it was announced a couple of weeks ago that the star second row had replaced Saracens team-mate Jamie George as full-time England captain after the latter succeeded Owen Farrell just a year ago.
Itoje has been tipped as captain material ever since bursting onto the international scene young back in 2016, though he mostly does his talking with his consistent high-level performances rather than necessarily being a huge voice on the pitch.
"We've prepared well, the boys have trained well and we've come together quite nicely. We're clear on the plan. We're ready to go," Itoje said this week.
"It's a really big task. Obviously Ireland are a very good team. They're a team that in their recent history have put together a string of notable performances.
"They have quality players and continuity, more so than most other nations due to the Leinster connection.
"They're a team full of good players and they have that strong Leinster core to what they do and their selection.
"It's a team that's played together before, a team that know what they're about. But we're a good team too."
England must keep discipline after reds mar Dublin trips
14:58England’s thrilling last-gasp 23-22 win at Twickenham last year thanks to Marcus Smith’s latest of drop goals snapped a four-match losing streak against Ireland that dated back to the 2021 Six Nations.
England had won four in a row themselves before that as sustained runs of momentum continued to swing back and forth in this famous old fixture.
England lost 29-10 on their last visit to Dublin in a warm-up fixture for the 2023 World Cup in France, with Ireland running in five tries and Billy Vunipola sent off for a high tackle.
Their last trip to the Aviva Stadium in the Six Nations was earlier that same year, when they lost 29-16 in an attritional affair on the final day as Ireland wrapped up a Grand Slam with four tries and Freddie Steward was harshly shown red just before half-time for a collision with Hugo Keenan.
Sendings off have been a constant theme of these games in Dublin for England in recent years and Steve Borthwick will be desperate for his side to keep their discipline and composure this afternoon.
England have not won at the Aviva since the 2019 Six Nations, when they delivered a supreme performance under Eddie Jones - signed up as a pundit for ITV for this tournament - to emerge 32-20 victors with four tries, including the first after only 95 seconds through Jonny May.
Six Nations round one: The story so far
14:45 , George FloodSo what’s already happened in Six Nations round one so far?
Well, last night we saw exactly why mighty France are being tipped as favourites and sorry Wales for a second successive wooden spoon after Les Bleus ran out dominant 43-0 winners at a bouncing Stade de France in Paris.
Antoine Dupont - who missed last year’s tournament as he prepared to lead his nation to rugby sevens glory at their home Olympic Games in the summer - was typically mesmerising as France wrapped up a bonus point before half-time.
They scored seven tries in total despite some injury issues, with a brace each for wings Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, plus further efforts from No8 Gregory Alldritt and replacements Julien Marchand and Emilien Gailleton.
The only negative for Fabien Galthie’s side was a late red card for fly-half Romain Ntamack on his first France appearance since 2023 after injury which looks certain to lead to a ban that will rule him out of next weekend’s trip to Twickenham.
Crisis-stricken Wales have now lost 13 Tests in a row, having failed to win a single game last year and not tasted victory since the 2023 World Cup. It was the first time in the Six Nations era that they have failed to score a point and their joint-heaviest loss ever in the competition.
Yet more pressure builds on Warren Gatland ahead of a titanic battle with Italy in Rome in round two, though they are already down several more players with injuries to the likes of Owen Watkin and Aaron Wainwright.
Speaking of the Azzurri, they are currently trailing 14-6 to Scotland at Murrayfield in the second game of opening weekend.
Two Tommaso Allan penalties have trimmed the Scottish lead created by early tries from Rory Darge and Huw Jones, both converted by Finn Russell.
Just over 25 minutes gone in that one.
Ireland vs England prediction
14:35 , George FloodThere is certainly no easing into this year’s Six Nations for England, who will have to hit the ground running immediately in a bid not to open with back-to-back defeats to pile more pressure on Steve Borthwick before they host Scotland looking to avoid a fifth successive Calcutta Cup loss.
Ireland won’t be short on confidence as the double defending champions and have history in their sights as the first team ever to win the title three years on the bounce, though it will be intriguing to see how seamless the transition can be between Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby.
England will hope that their opponents’ error-strewn loss to the All Blacks and only narrow wins over Argentina and Australia in a bit of an underwhelming autumn showing will prove more than just a minor regression, though it is likely to be wishful thinking.
Ireland to win, by seven points.
Ireland vs England lineups
14:30 , George FloodIreland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Bealham; Ryan, Beirne; Baird, Van der Flier, Doris (c)
Replacements: Sheehan, Healy, Clarkson, Henderson, Conan, Murray, Crowley, Henshaw
England XV: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Murley; M Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart; Itoje (c), Martin; T Curry, B Curry, Earl
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, Willis, Randall, F Smith
England team news
14:25A few surprises in England’s team selection today, with Steve Borthwick handing an international debut to Harlequins wing Cadan Murley in the absence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is sidelined after shoulder surgery.
Curry twins Ben and Tom also start together for England for the first time in a bit of a shock decision in the back row, with the likes of Ollie Chessum and Chandler Cunningham-South on the bench.
Freddie Steward - sent off on England’s last visit to Dublin two years ago - starts at full-back with George Furbank having fractured his arm playing for Northampton last month.
Alex Mitchell - a big miss through injury in the autumn - is back fit and starts at scrum-half in a huge boost for Borthwick, resuming his partnership with Marcus Smith, who fights off competition from namesake Fin to keep the No10 jersey after a really impressive 2024.
Luke Cowan-Dickie is at hooker with Jamie George out with a hamstring injury, with the latter having also been replaced as captain after only a year by Maro Itoje.
Borthwick has gone with a 6-2 bench split, with Saracens’ in-form No8 Tom Willis among the forwards.
Only Fin Smith and back-up scrum-half Harry Randall provide backline cover.
Ireland team news
14:18 , George FloodSimon Easterby, taking the reins as Ireland head coach for the Six Nations with usual boss Andy Farrell currently preparing for this summer’s Lions tour of Australia, has made two changes to the team that edged to a comeback win over Joe Schmidt’s resurgent Wallabies in their final autumn international in Dublin in November.
Garry Ringrose is preferred to Robbie Henshaw alongside Bundee Aki in the centres, while there’s a rare start in the back row for Ryan Baird, with Tadhg Beirne shifting into the second row due to an injury to Joe McCarthy.
Sam Prendergast gets the nod over Jack Crowley in a big call at fly-half, while James Lowe is back on the wing and Finlay Bealham continues at tighthead prop with Tadhg Furlong out injured again.
Star hooker Dan Sheehan also returns from injury, though he starts on the bench with Ronan Kelleher retaining the No2 jersey for now.
How to watch Ireland vs England
14:13 , George FloodTV channel: Today’s contest is being broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4pm GMT.
Live stream: Fans can also catch live coverage of the game online via ITVX, which is free with a registration.
Ireland vs England live
14:10 , George FloodHello and welcome to Standard Sport‘s live coverage of Ireland vs England in the Six Nations.
A blockbuster clash in Dublin both headlines and concludes round one of the 2025 competition, with fireworks and drama absolutely guaranteed in what is likely to be a thrilling showdown between these old rivals.
Kick-off this afternoon is at 4:45pm GMT, so stick with us for all your match build-up, team news and live updates, including expert analysis from Simon Collings at the Aviva Stadium.
