Adam Williams presents his prediction for the Six Nations Championship match.
A classic historic rivalry extends to the rugby pitch. At the Rugby World Cup, England outlasted Ireland by reaching the semi-finals, but in the Six Nations, the Irish have dominated in recent years.
Ireland
The two-time defending Six Nations champions will begin their title defence without head coach Andy Farrell, who has temporarily stepped aside to lead the British & Irish Lions. His assistant, Simon Easterby, will take charge, with Johnny Sexton—the legendary fly-half who recently retired—assisting in a coaching role. Ireland remain a settled squad, with their only major absence being Tadhg Furlong, the powerful prop who has played just three club matches this season.
England
England are undergoing a generational shift following the World Cup, and injuries have further disrupted their squad. The biggest loss is Jamie George, the veteran hooker and captain, who has earned 97 caps and was set to provide crucial leadership. Other key absentees include Alex Dombrandt (back-row), Alex Mitchell (scrum-half), and several other key figures. This leaves Steve Borthwick with a more experimental selection, adding to England's challenges.
Ireland vs England Prediction
Even without Andy Farrell on the sidelines, Ireland remain a more balanced, cohesive team, with familiar combinations and strong depth. At home, they should have enough to secure a comfortable win.
