England have the chance to get back to winning ways in the Six Nations as they face Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick’s side made a markedly positive start to their campaign, trouncing Wales at home, but suffered a considerable setback last time out as they were well beaten at Murrayfield.
Scotland, ailing after being upset by Italy in their own tournament opener, stunned England with a dominant performance to retain the Calcutta Cup, though the Red Rose were not helped by Henry Arundell’s brace of yellow cards, which forced them to play 30 minutes with only 14 men.
There is plenty of room for England to improve on return to Twickenham, then, as they are thrown straight back into the deep end against Ireland.
They too have one win and one loss to their name. Owen Farrell’s men were handed a disheartening defeat at the Stade de France to open the tournament, but got back to form with a narrow victory over Italy last weekend.
They trailed at half-time at the Aviva but roared back in the second-half, with Robert Baloucoune’s try sealing the turnaround.
France remain the only side in the tournament with a perfect record, leaving the rest of the table separated by only two points. Saturday’s result could prove pivotal for either side’s hopes of challenging the defending champions.
Here is everything you need to know about the match...
England vs Ireland date, kick-off time and venue
England vs Ireland takes place on Saturday February 21, 2026, at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham.
Kick-off is scheduled for 2.10pm GMT.
How to watch England vs Ireland
TV channel: In the UK, England vs Ireland is being shown live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 1pm GMT.
Live stream: Fans can also watch the game live online via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a registration.
Live blog: You can follow the action as it happens with Standard Sport’s dedicated live blog.
England vs Ireland team news
England were far from their best at Murrayfield last weekend, but Borthwick has shied away from making wholesale changes to his side.
In fact, he has made just three, and in doing so, he has handed a full debut to one of his squad’s brightest talents: Henry Pollock comes into the side at No8 in place of Ben Earl, making his first Test start almost a full year after debuting for the Red Rose.
He appeared off the bench at Murrayfield and injected much-needed vim and vigour into the side, and Borthwick will hope he can have a similar effect in TW1.
England’s other two changes see Ollie Lawrence and Tom Curry introduced, meaning Guy Pepper drops to the bench. Tom Roebuck is out of the matchday squad entirely, with Lawrence taking his place on the wing opposite Tommy Freeman, while Freddie Steward is in at full-back.
Maro Itoje will continue in his role as captain, and is set to earn his hundredth England cap at the match. He will become just the ninth man to do so.
Arundell keeps his place in midfield, having dodged a suspension for being sent off against Scotland.
Andy Farrell has gone bold with his Ireland team, making the surprise decision to drop fly-half Sam Prendergast.
The Leinstar star, who celebrated his 23rd birthday last week, was far from his best as Ireland narrowly beat Italy last time out, missing two conversions before being hooked.
Prendergast has been given the week off, with Ciaran Frawley taking his place on the bench.
He was replaced by Jack Crowley in Dublin, and the Munster half-back will start at Twickenham. He will be partnered by No9 Jamison Gibson-Park, who replaced Craig Casey.
Fit-again prop Tadhg Furlong returns in front of a rotated back row featuring Tadhg Beirne, Josh Van der Flier, and Caelan Doris. Jack Conan and Cormac Izuchukwu make way to accommodate them.
While Borthwick was stuck with a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on the bench, Farrell has rolled the dice on a 5-3.
England vs Ireland lineups
England XV: Steward, Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Arundell, Ford, Michell, Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Itoe, Chessum, Curry, Earl, Pollock
Replacements: George, Rodd, Davison, Coles, Pepper, Underhill, Van Poortvliet, Smith
Ireland XV: Osborne, Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe, Crowley, Gibson-Park, Loughman, Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy, Ryan, Beirne, Van der Flier, Doris
Replacements: Kelleher, O’Toole, Bealham, Timoney, Conan, Casey, Frawley, T. O’Brien
England vs Ireland head to head (h2h) history and results
Ireland have won five of the last six Test meetings between these two nations, coming out on top in last season’s Six Nations 27-22.
England wins: 81
Ireland wins: 54
Draws: 8
England vs Ireland prediction
There was plenty wrong with England’s performance at Murrayfield last weekend, and do not have the benefit of a fallow week to iron out the wrinkles.
The Red Rose were slow to start against Scotland and, arguably, never quite got going, despite trimming the deficit somewhat in the second-half.
Facing an Ireland side on winning form, England will need to be at their best - with all 15 men on the pitch - if they are to come away with a result.
Saturday’s visitors have shown a knack for winning at Twickenham in recent years, and can be confident of getting one over on their long-time rivals here.
Ireland to win by 10 points.
England vs Ireland match odds
England to win: 1/5
Ireland to win: 4/1
Draw: 22/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
