Ireland team v England: Simon Easterby settles fly-half debate while defending Six Nations champions suffer massive injury blow
Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast, who were battling for the Ireland fly-half jersey.
Sam Prendergast has won the race for the number 10 shirt after he was named at fly-half for Ireland’s clash against England in the Six Nations.
The talented playmaker was in a battle with Jack Crowley for the jersey, but he has got the nod over the Munsterman for the game on Saturday.
After starting against both Fiji and the Wallabies in the Autumn Nations Series, Prendergast retains his position for their Six Nations opener.
He has continued to impress for Leinster in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup since November and, as a result, he edges out Crowley, despite the Munster star’s recent upturn in form.
Provincial continuity
Prendergast will partner provincial team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park at half-back, which means Munster duo Conor Murray and Crowley are on the bench.
The rest of the backline is pretty much as expected with Hugo Keenan fit enough to take up the full-back position, with Mack Hansen and James Lowe completing the back three.
Hansen was being challenged hard by Calvin Nash for his slot in the back three, but Easterby has kept faith in the Connacht man.
Bundee Aki is another Connacht player to line up in the backline, seeing off the threat of Robbie Henshaw to partner Garry Ringrose in the midfield.
England team: Maro Itoje era begins as Steve Borthwick hands uncapped wing debut against Ireland
Up front, Ireland have suffered a huge blow ahead of the England clash after Joe McCarthy was ruled out through injury.
That means Tadhg Beirne shifts from blindside to lock and Ryan Baird comes into the back-row alongside Josh van der Flier and captain Caelan Doris.
The pack is completed by a Tadhg Furlong-less front-row with Finlay Bealham deputising at tighthead, as he did in the Autumn Nations Series.
Bealham is joined by Ronan Kelleher and Andrew Porter while hooker Dan Sheehan, who returned last weekend after several months out, is forced to make do with a place on the bench.
“We’ve come off the back of a good week’s training in Quinta do Lago and I have been hugely impressed by the effort of the squad. We’ve enjoyed some competitive sessions and it wasn’t easy selecting a squad for this week’s game given the quality of those who haven’t made the final 23,” said Easterby.
“Credit to those who missed out on selection for this game, there was obvious disappointment but they all stepped up brilliantly to help prepare the team this week.
“England are a talented squad with quality across their panel and we know that we will need to hit the ground running to deliver a winning performance.
“The atmosphere will be electric come kick off and I know how excited the Irish public will be to see their team perform.
“That opportunity to represent the Irish people is something that always motivates the players and there has been real intent in how they have approached this week’s training. We’re ready for the challenge and excited to get going.”
Ireland’s team to face England
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Robbie Henshaw
Date: Saturday, February 1
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 16:45 GMT
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
