Ireland begin their bid for a historic third consecutive Six Nations crown as they face England, who denied them a grand slam last year, in Dublin.

The final match of the opening weekend of the tournament may just prove its most consequential, with Ireland attempting an unprecedented feat and England desperate to rebound from a difficult autumn. The hosts are under the direction of interim coach Simon Easterby while Andy Farrell prepares to take charge of the British and Irish Lions. The temporary boss has made a huge call at fly half, installing youngster Sam Prendergast as his chief playmaker after an impressive autumn.

Their Twickenham win over Ireland remains the high water mark of England under Borthwick, and their last victory over a side other than Japan. the head coach has also been bold in selection with Ben Curry joining twin brother Tom in the starting back row for the first time at international level. Maro Itoje is the new England captain and leads the visitors as they look to engineer a tournament-tilting triumph.

Follow all of the latest updates from the Aviva Stadium in our live blog below:

Ireland vs England LIVE

• Ireland host England in Dublin as the opening weekend of the Six Nations concludes | Live on ITV with kick off at 4.45pm GMT

• Ireland are hunting an unprecedented third title in a row

• Steve Borthwick's side denied their hosts a grand slam last year but have been short of success since

Maro Itoje ready for first match as captain

16:35 , Luke Baker

Maro Itoje captains England for the first time this afternoon, with the lock as Steve Borthwick’s chosen leader for the present and the future.

Itoje’s pedigree as a leader is significant – after being a Junior World Cup-winning captain with England’s Under-20s, he grew into a figure of significant stature quickly at Saracens even in a squad blessed with some of the game’s biggest personalities.

The last three permanent England captains have all been drawn from north London and Itoje will no doubt have learnt plenty from Owen Farrell and George, who remains as a lieutenant.

How to watch Ireland v England

16:32 , Luke Baker

If you’re in the United Kingdom, you can stream Ireland v England live on ITVX.

The match is also live on ITV1 with Eddie Jones among the pundits.

Ireland vs England match officials

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)

Assistant Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand) & Hollie Davidson (Sco)

Television Match Official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Foul Play Review Officer: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

Ireland vs England referee: Who is Six Nations official Ben O’Keeffe?

Ireland vs England

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin

A very good afternoon from a dry, relatively mild Dublin. The city centre felt surprisingly quiet a little earlier but the Ballsbridge bars were beginning to busy on the walk up to the Aviva Stadium, and the well lubricated masses are starting to fill the green seats of Ireland’s home. Despite clear skies, this will be a big day, one feels, for both back threes in the air - Ireland are sure to test Cadan Murley on Test debut. The Harlequins wing has improved significantly under the high ball but this is quite the stage on which to make your international bow.

Eddie Jones gives his thoughts on the game

16:19 , Luke Baker

Ex-England coach Eddie Jones is a pundit for ITV today and he’s given his early thoughts pre-match

What will British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The battle of the captains between Maro Itoje and Caelan Doris will be worth watching in the context of a Lions year, with the pair shaping as the two contenders to skipper the touring team in Australia this summer. What else might Andy Farrell particularly be watching?

What will Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?

Maro Itoje fulfils his destiny as England’s ‘world-class’ leader for the present and future

16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Maro Itoje captains England for the first time this afternoon, the lock Steve Borthwick’s chosen leader for the present and the future.

Maro Itoje fulfils destiny as England’s leader for the present and future

Team news - England

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England hand a debut to Harlequins wing Cadan Murley, with Freddie Steward also included in the back three with both Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and George Furbank absent due to injury. Tom and Ben Curry start together for the first time in international colours at senior level as the identical twins join Ben Earl in the back row, while Maro Itoje skippers the side for the first time having been installed as captain ahead of this campaign.

A punchy six forwards to two backs bench includes number eight Tom Willis, who is in line to earn a second cap on the back of impressive club form for Saracens.

England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Will Stuart; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 George Martin; 6 Tom Curry, 7 Ben Curry, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 Marcus Smith; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Freddie Steward.

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.

Team news - Ireland

15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sam Prendergast gets the nod ahead of Jack Crowley at fly half for Ireland, with the Leinster youngster set to make his first Six Nations appearance. He joins a familiar backline within which James Lowe is deemed to fit to feature having made a return in club colours last weekend. There is no Joe McCarthy, though, with the lock nursing an injury - James Ryan therefore partners Tadhg Beirne with Ryan Baird on the blindside.

With no Tadhg Furlong, it is Finlay Bealham at tighthead, while Dan Sheehan’s availability after recovering from a serious knee injury is a boost to the bench.

Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.

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.

Sam Prendergast handed keys to kingdom as Ireland reveal side to face England in Six Nations

15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland fly half Sam Prendergast has been handed his first Six Nations start after beating Jack Crowley to the number 10 jersey against England.

Leinster youngster Prendergast will open Ireland’s title defence as chief playmaker after impressing in his debut international campaign in November.

The 21-year-old, tipped as a long-term successor to Johnny Sexton, displaces Crowley despite the Munsterman’s key role in steering Ireland to the title last year.

The selection is a bold first call from interim coach Simon Easterby, who oversees the squad for this tournament with Andy Farrell on sabbatical while preparing to take charge of the British and Irish Lions.

Sam Prendergast handed keys to kingdom as Ireland reveal side to face England

Besieged Bill Sweeney battles on – but the RFU is no longer remotely fit for purpose

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

These have been turbulent times at the Rugby Football Union (RFU), with English rugby in the grips of a revolt. Chief executive Bill Sweeney is battling on - but perhaps not for much longer.

Besieged Bill Sweeney battles on – but the RFU is no longer remotely fit for purpose

Ireland captain Caelan Doris ready for ‘ultimate test’ against England

15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Captain Caelan Doris is braced for the “ultimate test” when Ireland begin their quest for an unprecedented third successive Guinness Six Nations title against rivals England.

The back-to-back champions are pre-tournament favourites and have won four of the past five meetings between the sides ahead of this evening’s crunch clash in Dublin.

Underdogs England – World Cup semi-finalists in 2023 – lost seven of 12 Tests in 2024 and are bidding to ease pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick by springing a surprise following an unsuccessful autumn.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris ready for ‘ultimate test’ against England

Six new faces to watch in the 2025 Six Nations

14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hope springs eternal as the Six Nations sides renew hostilities in rugby’s grandest old championship.

Another competitive edition of the tournament looks likely in 2025 with questions for each and every one of the competing sextet, and with the fixtures given an extra edge in a British and Irish Lions year.

A fresh crop of new faces just taking their first steps on the international stage will be out to make their mark over the next few weeks, with places on the plane to Australia perhaps up for grabs for those eligible.

There will be plenty of excitement around France and Italy, too, as the pair continue to unearth new talent.

The Independent has picked out one new(ish) face from each nation who could be set for a breakthrough tournament:

Six new faces to watch in the 2025 Six Nations

Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil

14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We should not forget, either, just how good this competition really is. Last night’s opening fixture may have been one sided but the Six Nations is in a purple patch, with another thrilling edition surely in store:

Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby's turmoil

Six Nations should remain on free-to-air TV, says England captain Maro Itoje

14:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Maro Itoje leads England into what could be the final Six Nations shown on terrestrial television with a call to organisers to prioritise the game’s reach when considering the next broadcast deal.

The BBC and ITV have shared the TV rights since 2016, but their contract ends after the current tournament and TNT Sports has confirmed it is considering bidding for 2026 onwards.

For the first time the game’s biggest draw outside the World Cup faces the prospect of going behind a paywall, but Itoje insists it must remain free-to-air.

“The Six Nations should be viewed by as many people as possible,” said the England captain ahead of Saturday’s clash with Ireland in Dublin.

“I grew up watching the Six Nations on the BBC and on ITV. The fact that it’s been on free-to-air…I think rugby needs more eyes on it, not less.

“Obviously I’m not involved in the finances of the deals, but even though international rugby is massive, the sport should be looking at ways to be more accessible to more people, as opposed to the opposite.”

Six Nations should remain on free-to-air TV, says England captain Maro Itoje

Why the BBC and ITV might be about to drop the ball for coverage of Six Nations

14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The rights issue is complex, but it is understood the tender process is yet to open. Here is an in-depth look at how we got here and what the future might hold:

Why the BBC and ITV might be about to drop the ball for coverage of Six Nations

Liberal Democrats launch campaign to keep Six Nations on free-to-air television

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to save the free-to-air future of the Six Nations amid uncertainty over the competition’s terrestrial future.

The BBC and ITV are in the final year of their joint deal to show the tournament in the United Kingdom, with the tender process set to open in the next couple of months.

TNT Sports confirmed this week that they were exploring the possibility of a bid, with speculation suggesting that the BBC may already be out of the running.

While discussions are understood to still be at a preliminary phase, neither the men’s or women’s tournaments are currently protected by “Category A” status that would safeguard live coverage on terrestrial television.

And the Liberal Democrats in Parliament have tabled a motion calling for both the men’s and women’s competitions to be added to the so-called “crown jewels” list.

Liberal Democrats launch campaign to keep Six Nations on free-to-air television

Yesterday's action...

13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The first night of Six Nations action brought a real statement of intent as France dealt Wales their first nilling since 2007, with the remarkable Antoine Dupont the star of the show on his return to the competition.

Peerless Antoine Dupont leads fabulous France to victory as Wales hit a new low

The challenges standing between Ireland and Six Nations history

13:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland, meanwhile, are chasing a third successive title - but a few huge challenges stand between them and an unprecedented feat, as Michael Cooke explains:

The challenges standing between Ireland and Six Nations history

It’s time for Steve Borthwick to deliver and this England decision will decide Six Nations fate

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How much progress have England made under Steve Borthwick? They would claim plenty, but two years after the head coach’s arrival, their record is just 14 wins from 28 games. It’s time for this side to deliver...

The key Steve Borthwick decision that will decide England's Six Nations fate

Ireland vs England LIVE

Thursday 30 January 2025 16:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The opening Six Nations weekend reaches a conclusion with perhaps the fixture of the round, Ireland out for revenge (and a first step towards history) against their 2024 conquerors England. The defending champions welcome Steve Borthwick’s side to Dublin this afternoon for a crunch clash, even at this early stage.

Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 4.45pm GMT.