England and Ireland are gearing up for their eagerly anticipated Six Nations opener on Saturday, January 3, 2025, at 14:15 GMT, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This clash is particularly significant as it marks the beginning of the prestigious Rugby Union tournament, with defending champions Ireland aiming to start their campaign on the right foot against the formidable English side.
Sadly, Ireland will be without one of their star players, Joe McCarthy, who has been ruled out due to injury. The 23-year-old lock, who had started all of Ireland’s 11 Tests throughout 2024, will be sorely missed. Interim head coach Simon Easterby has made pivotal adjustments by moving Tadhg Beirne to the second row, as well as allowing Ryan Baird to make his mark at blindside flanker, having previously replaced several established players.
Despite these changes, Ireland’s lineup remains strong, with Leinster fly-half Sam Prendergast retaining his position following impressive performances during the autumn fixtures where Ireland defeated Fiji and Australia. “It wasn’t easy selecting a squad for this week’s game... but they all stepped up really well to help prepare the team this week,” Easterby commented during the team announcement.
Alongside Beirne and Baird, key players like Garry Ringrose, whose experience is invaluable, will resume his partnership with Bundee Aki, and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park will link up with Prendergast. Tighthead prop Finlay Bealham continues to fill the void caused by Tadhg Furlong, allowing the front row to remain sturdy against England's formidable pack.
On the other side of the pitch, Maro Itoje will lead England for the first time after taking over the captaincy from Jamie George. The Saracens second row expressed confidence about the team's capabilities against the Irish side. He stated, “We’ve prepared well, the boys have trained well... We’re ready to go.” Itoje acknowledges the challenges posed by Ireland's continuity and strong performances from their squad. “Ireland are a very good team... but we’re a good team too,” he emphasized, highlighting his squad’s readiness for battle.
England has opted for a unique strategy, selecting three openside flankers—Tom and Ben Curry flanking number eight Ben Earl—aiming to bring energy and agility to the breakdown. It’s an interesting choice considering their last two Six Nations campaigns, which relied heavily on their line-out prowess. Despite this, Itoje remains sure of their line-out capabilities, asserting, “We have enough line-out jumpers... the line-out is a massive part of the game.”
This match also carries personal significance for the Curry brothers, who will make history as the first set of male twins to play on the same field for England. Ben Curry expressed excitement before the match, saying, “It’s really exciting. I’ve wanted to play with Tom for a long time... between the whistles you just want to win.” The anticipation around their shared experience adds another layer to this already thrilling encounter.
With the stakes incredibly high, both teams are fully aware of the significance of their opening match of the Six Nations. John Connolly, the former England coach, emphasized the psychological edge gained from winning the opener, stating, “It sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.” Both sides will aim to leverage their strengths and tactical adaptations to secure this pivotal win.
Come Saturday afternoon, the world will be watching as England and Ireland clash, setting the stage for what promises to be another unforgettable Six Nations campaign.