England lock Maro Itoje was unwell overnight, but scrum coach Matt Proudfoot is “really optimistic” he will be able to play in Saturday’s Six Nations match against Ireland.
“He was a little bit sick overnight so we are giving him an opportunity to recover, just cautious today with him but we are really optimistic he will be fine tomorrow,” said scrum coach Matt Proudfoot.
“Charlie and Joe Launchbury ran in the second row,” added the coach.
“We have (Ollie) Chessum in the squad as 25, so he ran there as well, and we have Nick Isiekwe on standby, so we are well covered. Those players have been in the group right the way through the competition so we are well covered there.
“Maro is a world-class player and his X-factor is the amount of pressure he can apply. But when you have got a guy who got 80 caps who can fill that void, that is probably Joe Launchbury’s speciality, his physicality.
“That is the opportunity that lies there for us.”
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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 (If Itoje is unavailable)
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. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 69 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. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap), 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)