Ireland name team to play England in the Six Nations opener

The Ireland team has been named.

Ahead of the game, interim head coach Simon Easterby has named Ireland's starting XV.

You can see the team below.

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(42)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)(25)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(63)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(60)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(36)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(3)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(38)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(70)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(37)
3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(46)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(67)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(56)
6. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(23)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(68)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(captain)(47)

Replacements:

16. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(27)
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(134)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)(2)
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster)(84)
20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(46)
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(120)
22. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(19)
23. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(77).

England named their team earlier this week, which includes twins Tom and Ben Curry, and you can see that below.

England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Murley; M Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje (C), Martin, T Curry, B Curry, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, Willis, Randall, F Smith.

Ireland versus England: What is at stake?

Reigning champions Ireland face a difficult test against Steve Borthwick's side, and will need to start the campaign with a win if they are to claim another Grand Slam.

They last won the Grand Slam in 2023.

If Ireland are to be victorious again, however, they must do so without manager Andy Farrell.

The English coach has been appointed head coach of the British and Irish Lions, and will therefore miss the 2025 Six Nations. Easterby has stepped in as interim manager.

Farrell, however, will still be keeping a close on proceedings, as the 2025 Six Nations campaign will also undoubtedly strongly influence his Lions selection.

Ireland will be the favourites for the clash on February 1, but England will still provide a stern challenge.

Bortwick's team narrowly beat Ireland 23-22 at Twickenham in last year's tournament, ending the away team's Grand Slam hopes.

You can follow the game in our live bog by clicking here.