England must respond against Ireland this afternoon if they are to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive, with little room for another slip-up at Twickenham.
Steve Borthwick’s side started their campaign with authority but were firmly checked at Murrayfield, leaving momentum fragile heading into one of the tournament’s defining fixtures.
With France currently leading the standings, Saturday’s result could prove decisive for both teams.
England vs Ireland Six Nations date, kick-off time, and venue
England host Ireland at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, February 21, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 2:10 pm GMT.
The Red Rose were beaten convincingly by Scotland last time out, struggling for control after being reduced to 14 men for 30 minutes following Henry Arundell’s two yellow cards.
That loss halted early optimism and exposed areas Borthwick will demand improvement in, particularly discipline and game management.
Ireland also carry one win and one defeat into the contest. After opening with a setback in France, they recovered to edge past Italy thanks to a strong second-half showing. With the table separated by only two points outside of France, the margins are tight.
How to watch England vs Ireland and the latest team news
The match will be shown live and free to air on ITV1 in the United Kingdom, with coverage beginning at 1 pm GMT. Viewers can also stream the game live through ITVX after registering.
Borthwick has opted for measured changes rather than a major reshuffle. Henry Pollock earns a first Test start at No. 8, while Ollie Lawrence and Tom Curry return to the side. Maro Itoje captains England and is set to win his 100th cap, becoming only the ninth man to reach that milestone.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made a bold call at fly-half, bringing Jack Crowley into the starting XV. Jamison Gibson-Park partners him at scrum-half, and Tadhg Furlong returns to bolster the front row. The back row combination of Tadhg Beirne, Josh Van der Flier, and Caelan Doris signals intent.
With both sides seeking momentum and consistency, the encounter promises intensity. The outcome could significantly shape the direction of this year’s championship.
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