Teams for Saturday:

England: Steward; Watson, Slade, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (c), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Ribbans, Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Mitchell, Smith, Marchant

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (c), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Baird, Ryan; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Healy, O'Toole, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, R Byrne, O'Brien

Doris being fit is a big plus for Ireland, who look strong and have a bench who can lift things.

For England, Smith carries the can for a poor performance by the pack last week, whereas JvP continues with his charmed life, probably because he is implementing the exceedingly stale game plan as required. Nice to see Arundell starting but we must give him some ball (unlikely). The bench is underwhelming. Cole, Mako, Isiekwe. Where is the impact?

I can’t see past a comfortable GS for Ireland.

@Catogrande totally agree. Interesting to see tuilagi at 12 tho, English Samoan Jesus is back!

Did Borthwick and Gatland have breakfast together?

@MiketheSnow said in 6N Ireland v England:

Did Borthwick and Gatland have breakfast together?

Both humming along to “who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler”.

On first reading, front row of Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt looks atrocious.

But they might not be too bad against O'Mahony, VDF and Doris I guess.

@Bones

And both teams with slow back rows eh?

You need to let this one go mate, or at least take it to the GOM thread

@Catogrande said in 6N Ireland v England:

@Bones

And both teams with slow back rows eh?

You need to let this one go mate, or at least take it to the GOM thread

Good point, I think your backrow might be a bit more mobile.

Ireland have a real-life leprechaun as President.

The poms look way better with tualagi at 12.

England with so many stupid penalties. Ye olde late charge on sexton will never go unpunished in modern rugby.

@Billy-Tell

Yep, already multiple examples of dopey play

@Catogrande said in 6N Ireland v England:

@Billy-Tell

Yep, already multiple examples of dopey play

Itoje is good for a couple of mindless penalties every match. He’s already given away one.

England defence around to he ruck disrupting Ireland fluidity. Everything else about England a bit meh

Not a great game, but England leading 6-3.

That try was just too easy.

Lovely set piece try to Ireland. Practice makes perfect and that was clearly practised.

Ireland 10-6 ahead. That will calm some Dublin crowd nerves.

England look shit from 9 to 14. Forwards playing really well.

@Victor-Meldrew could be a Red

Ireland baying for cards as usual.