Ireland vs England predictions, betting tips and odds: Excellent Ireland to prove too good for uncertain England

Where to watch Ireland vs England

You can watch Ireland vs England on ITV1 at 4.45pm on Saturday, February 1

Ireland vs England best bet

Ireland -6
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Ireland vs England predictions

Ireland may have a different coach and a rookie fly-half calling the shots but the defending Six Nations champions should still have too much quality for England in their Championship opener at an expectant Aviva Stadium.

Andy Farrell's appointment as British & Irish Lions head coach for this summer's tour to Australia means he will take a watching brief this year, leaving Simon Easterby to lead Ireland in their pursuit of an unprecedented third Six Nations title in a row.

Ireland were deserved champions in 2024 but there was a sense of what might have been as a 23-22 defeat to England at Twickenham cost them the Grand Slam and you can be certain that they will be out for revenge on Saturday.

That victory in March remains the defining performance of Steve Borthwick's reign as England boss, and the Red Rose's struggles to forge an obvious identity have been magnified by some poor results in the autumn.

Late defensive lapses and missed chances in attack were to blame for at least two of their three defeats in November. So Borthwick has sought to rectify those shortcomings by naming a six-two split among his replacements, with Tom Willis and Chandler Cunningham-South expected to add dynamism off the bench.

Sam Prendergast's selection against England looks to have solidified his place as Ireland's first choice number tenCredit: Brendan Moran

That should give England's starting back-row of the Curry twins, Tom and Ben, and Ben Earl licence to empty the tank in their attempts to prevent Ireland moving the ball with speed.

Ireland's interim boss Easterby has made an eyecatching call in the pack with Ryan Baird, a Farrell favourite and potential Lions bolter, starting at blindside flanker. Hardly a regular for Leinster, he is still a superb line-out option and his pace around the field is almost unrivalled.

However, Easterby's biggest call has been at fly-half, where Sam Prendergast has been given the nod ahead of last year's hero Jack Crowley.

Prendergast has excelled since making his international debut in the autumn and is one of 11 Leinster players named in Ireland's starting 15, with five more on the bench for good measure.

That should allow him to grow into the game by running familiar moves with established combinations ready to help him out when required.

His opposite number, Marcus Smith, doesn't have that luxury with Borthwick clearly keen to persevere with Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence in the centres but unsure of who wears which number. 

While the bench selection can help counter England's final-quarter shortcomings, the visitors look like a team who can compete on energy but maybe not expertise.

Ireland still look the more physical, athletic and skilful side and can start their title defence with a statement victory in Dublin.

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Click here to back Ireland at 40-1 or England are 80-1 with Paddy Power

Ireland vs England team line-ups

Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Robbie Henshaw.

England: Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Cadan Murley; Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje (capt), George Martin. Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Ben Earl.

Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Willis, Harry Randall, Fin Smith.

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