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Ireland Team v England: Some Bold Selection Calls For Six Nations Opener

16 March 2024; Ireland players, including Jack Crowley, left, and Caelan Doris, centre, after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Patrick McCarry
By Patrick McCarry Updated
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Simon Easterby's men are seeking to create history by becoming the first Ireland team to win the championship for three consecutive years, since the Six Nations expanded in 2000.

Easterby has taken the reins from Andy Farrell, but has a relatively settled squad and backroom staff to call on. The interim head coach has name his Ireland team to take on England at Twickenham (4:45pm kick-off, Saturday, February 1).

Sam Prendergast keeps the 10 jersey, while Ryan Baird comes in at blindside, and Tadhg Beirne goes into the second row after an injury to Joe McCarthy.

IRELAND TEAM (vs. England)

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)
3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(captain)

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Robbie Henshaw.

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The official announcement has now been made, but our Ireland team news liveblog will keep you up to date on all the contentious issues, updates and reactions to the big calls.

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Click on the key point you want to read about, or just keep scrolling to see updates in our liveblog [below]:

READ ALSO: Nigel Owens Critical Of Lack Of 'Consistency' In Reduced Mack Hansen Suspension

Ireland team

Mack Hansen of Ireland is tackled by Len Ikitau of Australia during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Simon Easterby names his first Ireland team as interim head coach

With Andy Farrell on a six-month sabbatical, due to his commitment to the British & Irish Lions, it falls to interim coach Simon Easterby to lead this Ireland team through the 2025 Six Nations.

Easterby, who played 65 times for Ireland and two Tests with the Lions, was previously head coach of Welsh side, Scarlets before joining Joe Schmidt, in 2014, and becoming forwards coach of the Irish national team.

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The 49-year-old held that role until 2021, when he was named defence coach. The upcoming championship represents a big opportunity for Easterby to prove his coaching mettle with this Ireland team.

Farrell elevated Caelan Doris to permanent Ireland captain for November's Autumn Nations Series, and handed Test debuts to Tom Clarkson, Sam Prendergast, Cormac Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy.

England coach Steve Borthwick named his matchday 23 on Tuesday, with a strong back row of the Curry twins, Ben and Tom, alongside Ben Earl. Maro Itoje captains with Marcus Smith in the 10 jersey.

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SEE ALSO: Jack Crowley Was Placed In A Tricky Position By Having To Do Ireland Media Duties This Week

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