England squad to face Ireland

10 Mar 2022 | 3 min |

Eddie Jones has named his England side for their Guinness Six Nations tie against Ireland this weekend.

England take on Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (KO 4:45pm).

Courtney Lawes will continue to captain the side at blind side flanker. Vice-captain Tom Curry, who has completed his return to play protocols, will join at open side flanker and Sam Simmonds will be No.8.

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Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler and Jamie George make up the front row. Locks Maro Itoje and Charlie Ewels complete the tight five.

Harry Randall is at scrum half and Marcus Smith is fly half while Henry Slade (outside) and Joe Marchant (inside) feature at centre. Jack Nowell is at left wing, Max Malins is at right wing, and Freddie Steward at full back.

Alex Dombrandt has rejoined the squad following a period of isolation due to a positive COVID test and is named as finisher, alongside Joe Launchbury who is in line to make his first international appearance since England’s win over France in the Autumn Nations Cup final in December 2020.

Jamie Blamire, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Ben Youngs, George Ford and Elliot Daly make up the finishers.

Jones said: “We’ve been looking at this game as a semi-final. Ireland are the most cohesive side in the world right now and it will be a good test this weekend.

“We’ve prepared really well for this game. We did some good team togetherness work in Bristol and had a solid week of training on the pitch here.

“We are looking forward to going after them in front of a great home crowd at Twickenham. It’s been special having 82,000 supporters back in for our Six Nations games and it will be a great Test match for them.”

ENGLAND XV

15. Freddie Steward

14. Max Malins

13. Joe Marchant

12. Henry Slade

11. Jack Nowell

10. Marcus Smith

9. Harry Randall

1. Ellis Genge

2. Jamie George

3. Kyle Sinckler

4. Maro Itoje