Maro Itoje is set to be available for England’s crucial Six Nations clash against Ireland after overcoming a bug.
Towering Saracens lock emerged as a doubt for the clash yesterday due to illness, with Wasps’ Joe Launchbury on standby.
However, RUCK sources suggest the second-row is feeling much better and has been passed fit to run out at Twickenham this afternoon.
“It’s a massive game, it’s a hugely important game, and it’s a huge opportunity for us to hopefully show some growth within this team,” said Itoje.
“I always love playing Ireland, love playing their talented team, probably one of the teams in the northern hemisphere that’s had some of the best performances over the past five years or so against big opposition, I enjoy playing them, I enjoy the challenge and everything that comes with it.
“I think they’ve grown as a team. They’re playing with a lot of conviction. They’re a well-organised team and I think they’re just another team in the northern hemisphere that has shown a lot of growth within the last 12 months like a few teams have shown so I think they have progressed well.
“They’re obviously a talented team, a well-coached team, a team that know their detail and how they want to play the game so of course there’s elements of the game previously which we can look at and refer to but they’ve also grown, they’ve also got better in this period so we’re not playing the same Ireland team we played a year ago.”
When is England v Ireland on TV?
England v Ireland will take place on Saturday 13th March 2022.
Check out Radio Times Six Nations TV schedule guide for the latest times and information.
What time is kick off?
England v Ireland will kick off at 4:45pm.
There’s a full slate of Six Nations games taking place this week, including Wales v France.
What TV channel is England v Ireland on?
Fans can tune in to watch the game for free live on ITV from 4:15pm.
BBC have the rights to broadcast all of England’s home matches.
Weekend preview with Jack Nowell
Are there any fan parks?!
Sporting events company, 4TheFans has launched its first London rugby ‘fan park’ bringing rugby fans together safely to enjoy the historic Six Nations tournament.
ENGLAND vs IRELAND REFEREE:
- Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Mike Adamson (SRU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
- TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Raynal was born in 1981 in Perpignan, Southern France. Part of a successful Junior Perpignan team, they went on to win the French Junior Championships in 1998. However, that was the extent of Raynal’s playing career before choosing to take up the whistle.
England team to play Ireland
ENGLAND XV 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps) 14. Max Malins (Saracens, 13 caps) 13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 10 caps) 12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 46 caps) (VC) 11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps) 10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 8 caps) 9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 4 caps) 1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps) 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 64 caps) (VC) 3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 50 caps) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 54 caps) 5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 29 caps) 6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 91 caps) (C) 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 39 caps) (VC) 8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
FINISHERS 16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps) 17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 77 caps) 18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 18 caps) 19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 69 caps) 20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 7 caps) 21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps) 22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 79 caps) 23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 55 caps)
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The other jobs of England’s best Six Nations rugby players
#1. JACK NOWELL – CLOTHES & PUB
The England and Exeter Chiefs winger is the co-owner of The Swordfish Inn back in his hometown of Cornwall. Sitting on the harbourfront, the pub has been a favourite of local fishermen, artists and visitors alike for as long as anyone cares to remember and is well-known for its rugged charm and atmosphere. He is also a director of MUSTARD Clothing.
