Jack Crowley named to start as Ireland make five changes for England clash

Michael Bolton

Jack Crowley will start his first game of this year's Six Nations as Andy Farrell has named the Ireland side to face England in Twickenham on Saturday.

Crowley replaces Sam Prendergast, who has been left out of the matchday squad, with Ciarán Frawley as the backup option at fly-half.

In total, there are five changes to the side that defeated Italy, with Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier returning to the starting line-up.

They join captain Caelan Doris in the back row, with James Ryan and Joe McCarthy in the second row.

Jack Conan and Nick Timoney are among the replacements, with Cormac Izuchukwu and Edwin Edogbo missing out on the matchday squad, as Ireland go for a 5/3 bench split.

Tadhg Furlong also starts his first Six Nations game since 2024, with Tom O'Toole and Finlay Bealham on the bench.

In the other change, Jamison Gibson-Park comes in for Craig Casey at scrum-half following his impressive performance off the bench against Italy last Saturday.

Head coach Farrell said: “Games between the two sides have been nip and tuck over recent times and there’s great familiarity and respect across both camps.

“We know their strengths and our aim is to deliver the best version of ourselves to put us in a position to get the performance that we want.

“Backed by thousands of travelling Irish supporters who travel from all over the world whenever we play in Twickenham, it will be another special occasion and a challenge we’re excited to face.”

Ireland team to face England: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Finlay Bealham, Nick Timoney, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Tommy O’Brien.

England:

Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Ollie ‌Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Arundell; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ellis ​Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Heyes; Maro Itoje (capt), Ollie Chessum; Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Henry Pollock.

Replacements: Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Alex Coles, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith.