England vs Ireland: Six Nations 2026 Live at Twickenham
Welcome to live coverage of the Six Nations 2026 rugby union match between England and Ireland, kicking off at 2.10pm GMT at Twickenham Stadium. Stay tuned for real-time updates, team news, and in-depth analysis as these two rivals battle it out in a crucial tournament fixture.
Team News and Key Changes
Both teams have announced significant changes to their matchday squads, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter. England head coach Steve Borthwick has made bold selections, handing a first start to the highly anticipated Henry Pollock in the back row, where he joins the returning Tom Curry. In the backs, Tommy Freeman reclaims his wing position, displacing Tom Roebuck, which allows Ollie Lawrence to slot back into the centres. The bench features a 6:2 split, with Jack Van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith providing backline options.
For Ireland, Andy Farrell has opted for a shake-up, leaving out Sam Prendergast from the matchday squad for the first time since his debut in November 2024, a decision that adds intrigue to the selection. Jack Crowley returns to the starting fly-half role, partnering with Jamison Gibson-Park to lead a backline that includes Rob Balacoune and James Lowe on the wings. Josh Van Der Flier is back at openside flanker, and a late injury to Jack Conan has promoted Cian Prendergast to a 5:3 bench, with Ciaran Frawley covering out-half.
Full Team Lineups
England: Freddie Steward; Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Arundell; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan‑Dickie, Joe Heyes; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Henry Pollock.
Replacements: Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Alex Coles, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith.
Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson‑Park; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Finlay Bealham, Nick Timoney, Cian Prendergast, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Tommy O’Brien.
Preamble: A Clash of Uncertainties
As the teams prepare to take the field, fans on both sides are grappling with questions about their squad's true identity. England supporters are left wondering whether their team is the unbeaten force that dominated for months or the side that appeared second-best in last week's loss to Scotland. Similarly, Ireland followers are pondering the legacy of head coach Andy Farrell, who delivered historic successes but now faces scrutiny over the team's transition into a new era and his handling of key positions, notably the fly-half role.
With both teams entering this match with identical records of two played and one loss in the tournament, a victory today is essential for improving their standings ahead of the final rounds in mid-March. Beyond the immediate points, England aim to dismiss their defeat to Scotland as a mere blip, while Ireland seek to halt a slide in world rankings with a performance that reaffirms their competitive edge. By the final whistle, one side will emerge victorious, shaping the narrative of their Six Nations campaign.
Join us for comprehensive live updates throughout the match, including play-by-play commentary, tactical insights, and post-match analysis. Share your thoughts and reactions as the action unfolds at Twickenham.
