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Two games down, one win each. So the ‘Millennium Trophy’ showdown between England and Ireland in Twickenham is do or die territory. Whoever wins will keep some pressure on France’s unrelenting title charge; but the loser faces into an off-week of questioning, accountability and soul searching. But will the headaches attack Borthwick or Farrell?
History suggests England will come out on top, home advantage is the greatest decider in this annual spectacle. Yet, there will be a keen desire to keep aspirations afloat in both camps. So which wounded animal will provide a bite to match their bark?
Last Time:
Both sides entre this game off the back of one win and one loss across the opening two weekends. Scotland dismantled England’s Grand Slam chariot in Murrayfield after Steve Borthwick’s men zoomed past Wales.
As for Ireland, they tipped the Italians last Saturday, 20-13, and in somewhat undeserving fashion; after an opening night shambles in Paris.
Ireland have won four of the last five games between these sides, but have just one win from four at Twickenham under Andy Farrell, that coming in 2022.
Last year saw Ireland edge their noses in front 27-22, courtesy of a second half fightback in Dublin. The last clash here was even more dramatic as Marcus Smith’s last gasp drop-goal gave England the title, and dashed Ireland’s seemingly inevitable second straight Grand Slam.
Despite another rude awakening where some of the newbies impressed most, there’s an air of old reliables off Andy Farrell’s selection this time around. The big news is the switch at 10, with Jack Crowley starting and Sam Prendergast ~ rather unfairly ~ jettisoned from the matchday squad. Lions Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, Josh van der Flier and Tadhg Beirne are the other changes to the starting side.
The bench configuration, and reverting to a 5/3 split has also caused some heads to turn. Tom O’Toole again covers loosehead, while there is no clear replacement second row named. In fact it appears neither Cormac Izuchukwu nor Edwin Edogbo, both of whom played last week, have travelled with the squad. Ciarán Frawley and Tommy O’Brien cover the outside backline too.
Jack Crowley & Josh van der Flier
England by 9
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.
IRELAND: 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, Ciarán Frawley, Tommy O’Brien.
