What time is Ireland vs England kicking off? Six Nations holders seek revenge on Steve Borthwick’s side
01/28/2025 08:50 AM
England start their Six Nations campaign with the hardest possible test of facing defending champions Ireland this weekend.
Steve Borthwick‘s side endured a poor 2024 which included a five-match losing streak after finishing third in the last Six Nations.
The Three Lions also haven’t won away in Ireland since 2019 – the year before their last victory in the Six Nations.
However, England were the only side to beat Ireland last year, with Marcus Smith‘s last-gasp drop-goal sealing a dramatic 23-22 win.
The Twickenham triumph was a major positive in an underwhelming Six Nations to deny Andy Farrell's side back-to-back Grand Slams.
The Red Rose will also be boosted by rival coach Farrell’s absence due to his commitment to the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour, with Simon Easterby taking over the reins on an interim basis.
Ireland vs England: How to follow
This Six Nations showdown will take place on Saturday, February 1.
Kick-off at Aviva Stadium is scheduled for 4:45pm.
The match is being shown on ITV One from 4pm.
It will be shown free-to-air and you can also live stream on ITVX.
Ireland vs England is the final game of round one to get underway, and you can find a full schedule list for the entire tournament HERE.
David Brady will have updates on talkSPORT from Dublin, while talkSPORT.com will provide the best of the reaction as well.
Ireland vs England: Squads
Ireland
Forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (c), Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O'Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier
Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose
England
Forwards: Fin Baxter, Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Maro Itoje (c), George Martin, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Bevan Rodd, Will Stuart, Tom Willis
Backs: Oscar Beard, Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Harry Randall, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet
Ireland vs England: What has been said?
Austin Healey has shared his belief that England will be favourites for the Six Nations title if they can win their opening two fixtures.
“The beauty about this tournament now is those first two games [against Ireland and France],” Healey told TNT Sports.
“If England go away and win their first game, they go back to Twickenham and they play France.
They win their first two games, they then become favourites for the tournament.
“Conversely, if they lose in Dublin and they lose at Twickenham, we’ll be talking about Borthwick getting the sack.”
