England got one over Ireland at home last year but that defeat didn’t stop the Men in Green winning the Six Nations title. Here are our Ireland v England predictions this time around in Dublin.

Simon Easterby has taken over temporarily while Andy Farrell is on Lions duty but Steve Borthwick knows another morale-boosting win would do him and his England side wonders.

Read more: Could England win the 2025 Six Nations? Here is our England Six Nations preview

Watch the video

Ireland v England predictions

Alan Pearey, Writer/Chief Sub at Rugby World: Ireland 20-14 England

Not since 2011 have England gone to Dublin for a Six Nations game without Owen Farrell or George Ford in their 23. Marcus Smith is the kingpin now and it was his drop-goal that defeated Ireland last March. Since when only Japan have succumbed to England.

Ireland, the back-to-back champions, would be quite some applecart to turn over. Yet they were far from convincing themselves last autumn. Questions are being asked about an ageing team that is arguably overly reliant on Tadhg Furlong in the scrum – the tighthead is missing again through injury – and Peter O’Mahony – also not in the 23 – in the lineout. Ireland have looked clunky and whereas it took them 14 rucks to fashion a line break 12 months ago, now it’s taking 19.

Still, this is the world’s No 2 team, playing in their Aviva fortress. New England captain Maro Itoje and his troops will need to hit heights that simply haven’t reached of late if they’re to spring a surprise.

Joe Robinson, Editor of Rugby World: Ireland 24-22 England

The only glimmer of hope for England in 2024 was that last-gasp home win against Ireland in the Six Nations – Marcus Smith’s clutch drop-goal providing a result that was very much against all odds. Since then, it’s been a case of good performances, bad results for England.

Taking New Zealand close on three occasions but ultimately losing each Test, going toe-to-toe against South Africa but falling short and a game of basketball against Australia. New captain Maro Itoje will be hoping to inject some life into the team and the selection of the Curry twins suggests a frantic, in-your-face approach to proceedings.

However, Ireland are second in the world for a reason, rarely lose in Dublin and will be mindful of keeping up with France if they are to win a third-consecutive title. Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions sabbatical may cause some teething issues but this side is packed with experience and will be gunning to get the job done.It’ll be closer than some might think but Ireland will likely get over the line.

Double time: Henry Slade celebrates his second try at the Aviva Stadium in 2019 (Getty Images)

Josh Graham, Deputy Editor of Rugby World: Ireland 14-21 England

Ireland are no longer the force they were. A three-peat would be impressive but seems unlikely and could come unstuck at the first hurdle if Steve Borthwick and England can channel the heroics of 2019, when they inflicted a first Dublin defeat in the Six Nations for six years on Ireland.

Henry Slade was at the front of centre of things with two tries on that day and will need another big showing in midfield alongside Ollie Lawrence. It’s a partnership that Borthwick seems to favour but is yet to really take off. Joe McCarthy’s untimely concussion will give England a lift as they look to impose themselves physically.

It may be just a hunch, but I smell an upset. Ireland failed to impress in the autumn, young Sam Prendergast is a generational talent but he’s still new to the international stage and will be seeing double with two lots of Curry after him.

Read more: Can Ireland win three Six Nations in a row? Here’s our Ireland Six Nations preview

Kick-off time: 4.15pm GMT – Sat 1 Feb

TV channel: ITV (UK) – How to watch the Six Nations

Venue: Aviva Stadium

Capacity: 51, 700

Ireland v England head-to-head record

Related: How to watch Ireland v England wherever you are

2024 Six Nations: England 23-22 Ireland

2023 RWC warm-up: Ireland 29-10 England

2023 Six Nations: Ireland 29-16 England

2022 Six Nations: England 15-32 Ireland

2021 Six Nations: Ireland 32-18 England

Ireland v England team news

IRELAND

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

Read more: Ireland Six Nations squad 2025 – full group selected by Simon Easterby

1. Andrew Porter
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Finlay Bealham
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)

Replacements:
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Cian Healy
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jack Conan
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Robbie Henshaw

ENGLAND

15. Freddie Steward
14. Tommy Freeman
13. Ollie Lawrence
12. Henry Slade
11. Cadan Murley
10. Marcus Smith
9. Alex Mitchell

Related: England Six Nations squad – Borthwick’s full group

1. Ellis Genge (vice-captain)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Will Stuart
4. Maro Itoje (captain)
5. George Martin
6. Tom Curry
7. Ben Curry
8. Ben Earl

Replacements:
16. Theo Dan
17. Fin Baxter
18. Joe Heyes
19. Ollie Chessum
20. Chandler Cunningham-South
21. Tom Willis
22. Harry Randall
23. Fin Smith

Download the digital edition of Rugby World straight to your tablet or subscribe to the print edition to get the magazine delivered to your door.

Follow Rugby World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X.