Sharks flanker Tom Curry will start for England on Saturday with George Ford pulling the strings from fly-half and Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker, after head coach Steve Borthwick named his team to play Ireland at Allianz Stadium (kick-off 2.10pm, live on ITV1).
Bevan Rodd will start the 144th meeting between the two sides from the bench as England look to bounce back from defeat in the second round of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship against Scotland.
Curry’s return is one of three changes made to the starting XV tfrom Murrayfield, with Ollie Lawrence and Henry Pollock also coming into the side. Pollock is handed his first Test start in an England shirt.
Elsewhere, Jack van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith are named among the replacements on a 6-2 split bench.
England will be captained by Maro Itoje, who will win his 100th cap, becoming only the ninth men’s player to reach the milestone for England, alongside Ben Youngs (127), Dan Cole (118), Jason Leonard (114), Owen Farrell (112), George Ford (107), Jamie George (107), Courtney Lawes (105) and Danny Care (101).
“We’re expecting a huge contest at Allianz Stadium and we’re excited for it,” said Borthwick.
“We know the challenge Ireland will bring and we’ve selected a side that we believe has the right balance to meet it.”
On Itoje’s milestone, Borthwick added: “To reach 100 caps for England is a remarkable achievement and speaks volumes about Maro’s consistency and professionalism over many years.
“He leads through his actions every day, sets the standard for others and cares deeply about representing his country. We’re all incredibly proud of what he has achieved, and I know it will be a special day for him and his family.”
ENGLAND v IRELAND
Saturday 21 February 2026
Allianz Stadium. Kick-off: 2.10pm.
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 43 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 24 caps)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 37 caps)
12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
11. Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 107 caps) – vice-captain
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 29 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 77 caps) – vice-captain
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 55 caps)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 99 caps) – captain
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 67 caps)
7. Ben Earl (Saracens, 48 caps)
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
Replacements:
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 107 caps) – vice-captain
17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 12 caps)
18. Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
20. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
21. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 47 caps)
22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 47 caps)
