Ireland begin their bid for a historic third consecutive Six Nations crown as they face England, who denied them a grand slam last year, in Dublin.
The final match of the opening weekend of the tournament may just prove its most consequential, with Ireland attempting an unprecedented feat and England desperate to rebound from a difficult autumn. The hosts are under the direction of interim coach Simon Easterby while Andy Farrell prepares to take charge of the British and Irish Lions. The temporary boss has made a huge call at fly half, installing youngster Sam Prendergast as his chief playmaker after an impressive autumn.
Their Twickenham win over Ireland remains the high water mark of England under Borthwick, and their last victory over a side other than Japan. the head coach has also been bold in selection with Ben Curry joining twin brother Tom in the starting back row for the first time at international level. Maro Itoje is the new England captain and leads the visitors as they look to engineer a tournament-tilting triumph.
Follow all of the latest updates from the Aviva Stadium in our live blog below:
Ireland 5-10 England, 47 mins
The scrum is reset first time round before Ireland get the free-kick for pre-engagement from England. It’ll be a tap and go.
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:56
Ireland 5-10 England, 45 mins
Ireland win the scrum penalty as Genge deemed to be hinging. A win for Bealham there but that looked close…
Anyway, Ireland build from halfway. And they boot deep – Murley makes a mess of it, letting the ball bounce over his head, he then panics as it bounces back, grabbing it before it goes dead. He should let that go dead but picks it up and runs out of the in-goal area.
He’s caught just outside and Ireland then win the scrum. Huge moment and mistake from Cadan Murley
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:54
Ireland 5-10 England, 42 mins
Great work by Tom Curry to pilfer the ball at the breakdown – a turnover for the back rower.
England with lineout on Irish 22 and they run a play to the right as Smith tries a dart through but Mitchell’s pass to Genge is then deemed forward. Scrum for Ireland in their own territory.
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:52
KICK-OFF! Ireland 5-10 England
Back underway in Dublin. A huge 40 minutes in the context of this Six Nations
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:50
HALF-TIME! Ireland 5-10 England
It’s been tense, smash-mouth stuff in Dublin but England lead by five points at half-time.
Cadan Murley grabbed an early debut try before England had their backs to the wall for the next 20 minutes, with Jamison Gibson-Park eventually breaking through for an Ireland score. But Marcus Smith’s penalty has put the hosts further ahead at the break.
This should be a fascinating second 40 minutes.
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:37
PENALTY! Ireland 5-10 England (Marcus Smith, 40 mins)
It’s bang in front of the posts and Marcus Smith makes no mistake.
England will have a five-point lead at the break
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:35
Ireland 5-7 England, 39 mins
Great break by Earl, who drifts and then steps into a flat Smith pass and floats into a hole. Superb play.
England into the 22 and win the penalty. Three points upcoming before half-time?
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:34
Ireland 5-7 England, 38 mins
Marcus Smith back from the sin-bin so it’s 15 vs 15. In the final knocking of his absence, England conceded.
Joe Heyes on for Will Stuart in the front row for England. Looks like Stuart’s smart mouthguard went off, signalling a hit over the allowed threshold, prompting a concussion check
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:32
TRY! Ireland 5-7 England (Jamison Gibson-Park, 35 mins)
But as I say that, there is the try! Alex Mitchell won’t want to see this again. He misses a one on one tackle with Lowe who makes good ground down the left.
He draws another defender and passes inside to the supporting Jamison Gibson-Park, who produces a stunning step to cut inside his man and slide over the line. Lovely try.
Prendergast misses the very makeable conversion though so England still lead.
Luke Baker1 February 2025 17:28