Maro Itoje injury: The England lock is a doubt for their pivotal Six Nations match against Ireland at Twickenham after becoming unwell overnight.
Eddie Jones is “cautiously optimistic” Itoje will be available, but he will miss Friday’s captain’s run.
Forwards coach Richard Cockerill will not be at Twickenham after testing positive for Covid-19.
Joe Launchbury is England’s second row option on the bench, with lock Nick Isiekwe left out of the squad.
Both teams need victory to keep their title chances alive.
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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Maro Itoje facts: Five things you didn’t know…
#1. His full name
His full name is much more of a mouthful. The lock was born Oghenemaro Miles Itoje in Camden, London on 28 October 1994 to Nigerian parents.
