Ireland v England LIVE: Six Nations result and reaction as hosts come on strong to claim victory
Ireland 27-22 England: Double defending champions pull away in the second half to kick-start pursuit of historic third straight title
Ireland had to come from behind against England to get their bid for a third successive Six Nations title off to a winning 27-22 bonus-point start thanks to a ferocious second half after the visitors had made life very uncomfortable.
England got their gameplan spot on in the first half to lead 10-5 at the break, taking a deserved early lead through a debut Cadan Murley try before frustrating a stop-start Ireland at the breakdown with only Jamison Gibson-Park able to break through.
The game swung decisively Ireland's way early in the second half with a powerful Bundee Aki try and Sam Prendergast penalty putting them ahead for the first time after 55 minutes before a Tadhg Beirne try delivered a knockout blow 10 minutes later.
The relentless hosts pushed for the fourth bonus point-clinching try to cap off interim coach Simon Easterby's first game in charge and got it through replacement Dan Sheehan before Tom Curry halted the second-half onslaught and Tommy Freeman grabbed another consolation try at the death.
Relive all of the updates from the Aviva Stadium in our live blog below:
Team news - Ireland
Sam Prendergast gets the nod ahead of Jack Crowley at fly half for Ireland, with the Leinster youngster set to make his first Six Nations appearance. He joins a familiar backline within which James Lowe is deemed to fit to feature having made a return in club colours last weekend. There is no Joe McCarthy, though, with the lock nursing an injury - James Ryan therefore partners Tadhg Beirne with Ryan Baird on the blindside.
With no Tadhg Furlong, it is Finlay Bealham at tighthead, while Dan Sheehan’s availability after recovering from a serious knee injury is a boost to the bench.
Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.
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.
Sam Prendergast handed keys to kingdom as Ireland reveal side to face England in Six Nations
Ireland fly half Sam Prendergast has been handed his first Six Nations start after beating Jack Crowley to the number 10 jersey against England.
Leinster youngster Prendergast will open Ireland’s title defence as chief playmaker after impressing in his debut international campaign in November.
The 21-year-old, tipped as a long-term successor to Johnny Sexton, displaces Crowley despite the Munsterman’s key role in steering Ireland to the title last year.
The selection is a bold first call from interim coach Simon Easterby, who oversees the squad for this tournament with Andy Farrell on sabbatical while preparing to take charge of the British and Irish Lions.
Sam Prendergast handed keys to kingdom as Ireland reveal side to face England
Besieged Bill Sweeney battles on – but the RFU is no longer remotely fit for purpose
These have been turbulent times at the Rugby Football Union (RFU), with English rugby in the grips of a revolt. Chief executive Bill Sweeney is battling on - but perhaps not for much longer.
Besieged Bill Sweeney battles on – but the RFU is no longer remotely fit for purpose
Ireland captain Caelan Doris ready for ‘ultimate test’ against England
Captain Caelan Doris is braced for the “ultimate test” when Ireland begin their quest for an unprecedented third successive Guinness Six Nations title against rivals England.
The back-to-back champions are pre-tournament favourites and have won four of the past five meetings between the sides ahead of this evening’s crunch clash in Dublin.
Underdogs England – World Cup semi-finalists in 2023 – lost seven of 12 Tests in 2024 and are bidding to ease pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick by springing a surprise following an unsuccessful autumn.
Ireland captain Caelan Doris ready for ‘ultimate test’ against England
Six new faces to watch in the 2025 Six Nations
Hope springs eternal as the Six Nations sides renew hostilities in rugby’s grandest old championship.
Another competitive edition of the tournament looks likely in 2025 with questions for each and every one of the competing sextet, and with the fixtures given an extra edge in a British and Irish Lions year.
A fresh crop of new faces just taking their first steps on the international stage will be out to make their mark over the next few weeks, with places on the plane to Australia perhaps up for grabs for those eligible.
There will be plenty of excitement around France and Italy, too, as the pair continue to unearth new talent.
The Independent has picked out one new(ish) face from each nation who could be set for a breakthrough tournament:
Six new faces to watch in the 2025 Six Nations
Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil
We should not forget, either, just how good this competition really is. Last night’s opening fixture may have been one sided but the Six Nations is in a purple patch, with another thrilling edition surely in store:
Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil
Six Nations should remain on free-to-air TV, says England captain Maro Itoje
Maro Itoje leads England into what could be the final Six Nations shown on terrestrial television with a call to organisers to prioritise the game’s reach when considering the next broadcast deal.
The BBC and ITV have shared the TV rights since 2016, but their contract ends after the current tournament and TNT Sports has confirmed it is considering bidding for 2026 onwards.
For the first time the game’s biggest draw outside the World Cup faces the prospect of going behind a paywall, but Itoje insists it must remain free-to-air.
“The Six Nations should be viewed by as many people as possible,” said the England captain ahead of Saturday’s clash with Ireland in Dublin.
“I grew up watching the Six Nations on the BBC and on ITV. The fact that it’s been on free-to-air…I think rugby needs more eyes on it, not less.
“Obviously I’m not involved in the finances of the deals, but even though international rugby is massive, the sport should be looking at ways to be more accessible to more people, as opposed to the opposite.”
Six Nations should remain on free-to-air TV, says England captain Maro Itoje
Why the BBC and ITV might be about to drop the ball for coverage of Six Nations
The rights issue is complex, but it is understood the tender process is yet to open. Here is an in-depth look at how we got here and what the future might hold:
Why the BBC and ITV might be about to drop the ball for coverage of Six Nations
Liberal Democrats launch campaign to keep Six Nations on free-to-air television
The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to save the free-to-air future of the Six Nations amid uncertainty over the competition’s terrestrial future.
The BBC and ITV are in the final year of their joint deal to show the tournament in the United Kingdom, with the tender process set to open in the next couple of months.
TNT Sports confirmed this week that they were exploring the possibility of a bid, with speculation suggesting that the BBC may already be out of the running.
While discussions are understood to still be at a preliminary phase, neither the men’s or women’s tournaments are currently protected by “Category A” status that would safeguard live coverage on terrestrial television.
And the Liberal Democrats in Parliament have tabled a motion calling for both the men’s and women’s competitions to be added to the so-called “crown jewels” list.
Liberal Democrats launch campaign to keep Six Nations on free-to-air television
Yesterday's action...
The first night of Six Nations action brought a real statement of intent as France dealt Wales their first nilling since 2007, with the remarkable Antoine Dupont the star of the show on his return to the competition.
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