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England’s 12-match unbeaten run went up in flames last week and with it hopes of a first Grand Slam in 10 years but Steve Borthwick’s side haven’t got time to lick their wounds as Ireland head to Twickenham - also with a point to prove.
‘Ageing’, ‘over-the-hill’ and ‘in-decline’ are all jibes that have been thrown in the direction of Andy Farrell’s men following a rather underwhelming 12 months that has seen them fall from Europe’s elite. An ongoing fly-half debate has been at the centre of their demise; Sam Prendergast barring the brunt of abuse and unfortunately becoming the team’s villain, with the exception of Leinster supporters.
Jack Crowley’s stock has gone up largely benefitting from not playing, while previous world class internationals like James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park and Garry Ringrose need a big performance Saturday after being deemed off the pace recently.
Perhaps, a touch of complacency bedded into England on their win-streak and their Murrayfield reality check may be just what they need to remind themselves they are far from the finished article.
Wholesale England changes
Borthwick has abandoned his ‘Pom Squad’ approach with British & Irish Lions stars Tom Curry and Henry Pollock, the latter making his first Test start, coming into the starting XV in place of Sam Underhilll and Guy Pepper who drop to the bench.
Tommy Freeman looked lost playing in his new position of outside centre against Scotland and he returns to the wing as Borthwick pauses that experiment for the time being.
Tom Roebuck has also been dropped due to a poor Calcutta Cup performance, with Ollie Lawrence coming in at outside centre as competition for places intensifies. In previous England teams you could afford to have a sub-par game once in a while but Borthwick’s embarrassment of riches can see players fall drastically down the pecking order.
Maro Itoje becomes a Test centurion
Saracens second row Maro Itoje continues as captain for the Allianz Stadium showdown in what will be his 100th cap, becoming the ninth England men’s player to hit the landmark.
Since his debut in 2016, Itoje has been central to England’s pack identity — a lineout disrupter, breakdown nuisance and defensive leader. Few forwards combine his engine with his ability to produce momentum-shifting plays, whether through turnovers, chargedowns or maul steals. Reaching 100 caps places him among England’s modern greats and underlines his durability in one of Test rugby’s most physically demanding positions.
Must win for both sides
A triumph for Ireland at HQ would put a statement out there that Farrell’s men shouldn’t be discounted. Following England, they face a woeful Wales and a Scotland side they have a phenomenal record against, particularly at the Aviva. Four wins on the spin would go a long way in silencing their doubters, and would even put them as outside title contenders on Super Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Red Rose require a win to quash any talk that their 12-match winning run was just a fortunate flash in the pan and to silence the same question marks around a one-dimensional heavy kicking game plan and over hyped squad.
