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England face Six Nations Grand Slam-chasing Ireland in Dublin on Saturday; Owen Farrell, who dropped to the bench for England’s 53-10 defeat to France at Twickenham, is in line to feature from the start; Manu Tuilagi will also return in the middle, along with Henry Slade
Last updated: 16/03/23 7:58
Owen Farrell will return to the England team to face Ireland
Owen Farrell is expected to return at fly-half to face Grand Slam-chasing Ireland in Friday’s Six Nations finale in Dublin.
The England captain was dropped to the bench for the record home defeat to France last weekend, but is in line to start in Dublin, despite suggestions he has picked up an ankle injury in training.
The stage is set for one of the great days in Irish rugby as Andy Farrell’s men stand on the brink of completing a Championship clean sweep to ignite the St Patrick’s weekend party.
While Ireland sit atop the global rankings and are poised to take this autumn’s World Cup by storm, England have taken the cut after France thrashed Twickenham with a record 53-10 defeat.
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England vice-captain Ellis Genge says he has had an honest conversation since being beaten at home by France and insists there will be no repeat performance.
How much scarring has been left by the experience will be revealed in the climax to the Six Nations.
Manu Tuilagi will also return in the middle, alongside Henry Slade, in another new England midfield.
If Steve Borthwick deploys this midfield, it will be the same 10-12-13 combination that beat Ireland in Dublin four years ago.
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Ireland are one game away from winning the Grand Slam for just the fourth time in their history and former international Alan Quinlan believes the current side could be considered the best Irish side ever.
Marcus Smith, who started at fly-half against France, will drop to the bench to accommodate the change.
Ireland, meanwhile, have a host of injuries to contend with as they look to complete their fourth Grand Slam in their history.
Garry Ringrose and Iain Henderson have been ruled out, while there are doubts over Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher and Caelan Doris.
Robbie Henshaw is expected to replace Ringrose in the middle with Ryan Baird starting at lock.
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