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England v Ireland, Autumn Nations Cup 2020: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

England v Ireland, Autumn Nations Cup 2020: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction? - GETTY IMAGES
England v Ireland, Autumn Nations Cup 2020: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction? - GETTY IMAGES

What is it?

England take on Ireland at Twickenham in both sides' second match of the newly formed Autumn Nations Cup.

When is it?

Saturday, November 21.

What time is kick-off?

The match will start at 3pm.

What TV channel is it on?

Amazon Prime, who are the lead broadcasters of the tournament, and Channel 4.

What is the team news?

England

England are yet to name their starting XV, but Jack Willis has been overlooked despite impressing on his debut in the Autumn Nations Cup opener against Georgia.

Willis celebrated his first cap with a try and turnover as part of an influential performance that lasted until he was replaced in the third quarter, but it has not been enough to keep the Wasps flanker in camp.

Instead, Eddie Jones has turned to Sam Underhill and Lewis Ludlam in his 25-man squad that will step up preparations for Ireland before the starting XV is announced on Thursday morning.

Underhill was rested against Georgia but he is on course to return at openside at Willis' expense, while Ludlam is a surprise pick having not previously been involved in the autumn including the Six Nations-clinching victory over Italy.

Exeter lock Jonny Hill is back having excelled on his debut in Rome, Charlie Ewels making way to accommodate him. Knee-injury victim Joe Marler remains out.

George Ford is back in contention after a spell battling an Achilles injury and if fit he could regain the fly-half duties from Owen Farrell, who would move to inside centre, in what would be his first appearance of the autumn.

Centre Joe Marchant is reconditioning after sustaining an unspecified injury, so wing Ollie Thorley is present after being dropped against Georgia.

Jonathan Joseph has won his battle with the back injury suffered against Georgia in time for the first true challenge of England's Autumn Nations Cup.

Joseph suffered a spasm while in the process of setting up a try for Elliot Daly in the first half of a 40-0 rout and was in obvious pain as he was helped from the pitch.

The 29-year-old has responded well to treatment, however, and is ready for the visit of Andy Farrell's Ireland.

PA

Ireland

Fly-half Ross Byrne will make his first Ireland start since August 2019, while Jamison Gibson-Park retains the scrum-half role ahead of Conor Murray.

Head coach Andy Farrell has made four changes to his starting XV for the Autumn Nations Cup game in London.

Byrne, whose only previous start came in a 57-15 drubbing at Twickenham before last year's World Cup, has been given the nod to replace injured captain Johnny Sexton and win his ninth cap in preference to fellow international rookie Billy Burns.

Long-serving half-back Murray must again be content with a place on the bench after New Zealand-born Gibson-Park impressed in Friday's 32-9 victory over Wales.

Centre Bundee Aki replaces the injured Robbie Henshaw in midfield, with flanker CJ Stander and winger Keith Earls the other men recalled by Farrell.

Lock James Ryan has been confirmed as stand-in captain after veteran Sexton was ruled out with a hamstring problem sustained against the Welsh.

Meanwhile, Bath-born Burns, who represented England at under-20 level, has been named among the replacements against the country of his birth having made his debut from the bench last time out.

Starting XV: Hugo Keenan, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, James Ryan (captain), CJ Stander, Peter O'Mahony, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Will Connors, Conor Murray, Billy Burns, Jacob Stockdale.

PA

What have we said about the teams?

Deputy rugby union correspondent Dan Schofield has been looking into the hunt for players, as 10 former England U20 stars have now represented another Six Nations country at senior level.

What are the odds?

  • England win - 1/4

  • Ireland win - 4/1

  • Draw - 28/1

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What's our prediction?

Although Ireland come into this one on the back of a disciplined, efficient victory over Wales, they have not been able to trouble England for some time.

Eddie Jones' side are unbeaten in the their last three outings against Ireland, a run that does not look like ending this weekend, especially with the return of George Ford to help smooth out England's attack.

England 26 Ireland 15

Read more: Autumn Nations Cup 2020 fixtures