2025 Six Nations preview: Ireland v England
Everything you need to know as England Men travel to Dublin to face last year's Champions in their opening game of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations.
Steve Borthwick’s England side last played Ireland in March 2024, when a last-gasp Marcus Smith drop-goal sealed victory at Allianz Stadium.
The game also sees second row Maro Itoje take on the full-time captaincy for the very first time as he replaces his Saracens teammate Jamie George in the role.
Opponents Ireland have also had a change of leadership, with Simon Easterby stepping in as head coach while Andy Farrell focuses on preparations for the Lions series in Australia.
| Where | Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
| When | Saturday 1 February |
| Kick off | 16:45 |
| Where to watch | ITV1 or ITVX |
England team to face Ireland
Last time out
Select your England side
Stats & facts
England trailed at half-time in each of their five matches in last year's Guinness Men’s Six Nations, the first time they've trailed at the break in every match of a campaign since the 1974 Five Nations. However, they won three of those matches, no side has ever recorded as many second-half comebacks in an edition of the Championship.
England won their most recent Test match against Ireland (23-22 in March 2024) after losing four in a row previously; Steve Borthwick’s side were behind at halftime in that game, the first time this fixture had been won by the team who trailed at the break since the 1996 Five Nations (England 28-15 Ireland).
Ireland and England had identical lineout records in last year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations, each winning 62 of 68 throws (91%), the joint-best rates of any sides last year; Ireland also won a higher share of their opponents’ throws than any other nation (21%) and boasted the Championship’s best scrum success rate (93%).
England made an average of 29.9 kicks in play across their Test matches in 2024, the most of any Tier 1 men’s side; Steve Borthwick’s side retained possession from 17% of their kicks in last year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations, the highest rate in the Championship, while Ireland had the lowest rate (6%).
Maro Itoje, who has been named England captain for the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, won at least three more turnovers than any other player in men’s Tier 1 rugby in 2024 (15) and also ranked first among all such players for both attacking (300) and defensive (137) ruck hits last year.
Keep your eye on
Maro Itoje. The Saracens second row and captain was named full-time captain of his country for the first time ahead of the tournament. He has already acted as vice captain but now makes the step up.
Cadan Murley. Wing Murley has impressed with his try-scoring exploits in the Premiership and for England A. Saturday will see him get his first chance to transfer that prowess to the Senior Men's side.
The Curry brothers. While the two have played together at Sale Sharks, this is the first time they find themselves on the pitch together at the same time, making them the first twins to represent England Men.
Tom Willis. Like Murley, his Premiership form has been excellent this season and he impressed for England A against Australia A. He is named on among the replacements looking to add to his one cap so far with an impactful cameo.
Previous encounters
England 23-22 Ireland
Ireland 29-10 England
Ireland 29-16 England
England 15-32 Ireland
Ireland 32-18 England
U20s in action
Head coach Mark Mapletoft has confirmed his England U20 Men’s squad to face Ireland in the opening fixture of the 2025 U20 Six Nations. The reigning champions head to Cork for their first round encounter against Neil Doak’s side at Virgin Media Park. The match will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
