Defending champions Ireland are set to commence their 2025 Six Nations campaign with intense anticipation as they host England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The match will kick off at 4:45 p.m. GMT and is one of the most highly awaited fixtures of the tournament. Ireland hopes to secure their third consecutive Six Nations title, potentially putting them down as the first team to achieve such personal history by the end of the tournament.
Matchday has arrived with both sides needing to establish momentum to start the championship strong. Ireland, led by interim head coach Simon Easterby, will look to capitalize on their superb home record, having lost just two of their last 29 matches at the Aviva since 2013. With the atmosphere expected to be electric, Easterby is aiming to rally the fans behind his team. "I don't expect this place to be anything other than bouncing," Easterby stated about the upcoming match, emphasizing the excitement surrounding this opening fixture.
England enters the fray with high stakes, seeking to continue their success from last season when they were the only team to hand Ireland defeat. Coach Steve Borthwick faces pressure after marked struggles last season where England secured just five victories from 12 matches. This match against Ireland presents not just the chance for redemption, but also sets the stage for their run to improve upon their recent performance since they last claimed the Six Nations title back in 2020.
The team selections reveal some surprises, with Borthwick naming Maro Itoje as captain—taking over from Jamie George—and giving debuts to players like Cadan Murley. The Curry twins, Tom and Ben, will be starting together for the first time, marking their historical debut as twins on the England international stage. Borthwick emphasized the inherent value of having consistent selections, which could play to their advantage. "We've prepared well, the boys have trained well and we've come together quite nicely. We're clear on the plan. We're ready to go," Itoje noted this week.
With Ireland’s history on their side, they arrive at this fixture with formidable expectations. They held onto the title tightly last year and harbor ambitions of becoming the first team to win three championships consecutively. Despite the overarching narrative of strength, Ireland hasn't been impervious to challenges recently. The underwhelming autumn series raised questions about their squad depth and playing strategies. They’ll need to use the home crowd as their fuel, particularly against a formidable opponent like England.
For those wishing to view the match, it will be broadcast freely on ITV1 and streamed via ITVX within the UK. Fans from abroad can leverage the use of VPNs to connect to the appropriate streaming services to catch every minute live. For example, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are popular choices and can assist with accessing streaming services like Peacock for viewers based in the US.
Till now, the Six Nations tournament has delivered early surprises, with France's dominant 43-0 victory over Wales setting the tone for the competition. Pressure will also be felt by Ireland, as they look for solid performances right from the start following the loss to the All Blacks last year and recent narrow victories over tough opponents.
This match not only signifies the rivalry's power as England and Ireland clash again but also embodies the evolution of dynamics between rugby’s traditional heavyweights. An added narrative will be how the lineouts and breakdown battles shape the game, with both coaches displaying their tactical intellect and adaptability right upon kickoff. England’s Itoje may bring physicality and leadership on the field, but Ireland’s core, marked by athletes like Caelan Doris and Garry Ringrose, aims to outpace opponents.
Regardless of the past seasons, both sides have their points of strength and areas of improvement to address leading to the kickoff. The monumental atmosphere of Dublin's Aviva Stadium coupled with the desiring lust for victory on both sides suggests this could be another classic within their storied rivalry. This 2025 Six Nations opener promises not just to serve as the kickoff to the tournament, but as the narrative groundwork for the conflicts and challenges each team will face as they push toward championship glory.