"Ford at Fly Half" - Expected England Team To Face Ireland in Dublin

England continue their Summer Nations Series campaign this Saturday, as they take on Ireland in Dublin's Aviva Stadium. This will be the first meeting between Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell's men, since the 2023 Six Nations finale saw Ireland claim the Grand Slam.

England Head Coach Borthwick has to re-organise his squad, with his captain Owen Farrell suspended for the trip to Ireland. Farrell was the first English player to experience the new 'bunker' off-field review system, after his shoulder charge on Taine Basham was upgraded from a yellow to a red card, in last weekend's match against Wales.

Replacement fly half George Ford salvaged the match for England, as he slotted the match-winning penalty for a 19-17 victory. Despite coming away on the right side of the score-line, England have a lot to work on this week. England battled back after an ill-disciplined second half saw them drop down to 12 men at one stage, with Henry Arundell, Ellis Genge, Freddie Steward and Owen Farrell all sent to the bin throughout the match.

Borthwick's recent first choice scrum half Jack van Poortvliet will miss out on the Rugby World Cup, after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday's match. Van Poortvliet was replaced just after the half hour mark by his Leicester Tigers mentor Ben Youngs, with JVP's release from the squad confirmed earlier today.

Ireland are amongst the favourites to win the upcoming Rugby World Cup, and began their Summer Nations campaign with a routine 33-17 victory over Italy. Ireland will want to follow this up with a big win at home over England, before rounding off their World Cup preparations with a match against Samoa.

Here are RUCK's predictions for the England team to play Ireland in Dublin.

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)

14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

11. Elliot Daly (Saracens)

Despite having a moment of madness with his tackle on a mid-air Josh Adams, we believe that Freddie Steward will retain his spot at fullback for the test against Ireland. Elliot Daly will also return to the left wing, with veteran international winger Anthony Watson partnering him. We've selected Watson over Arundell, as Ireland will prove the toughest test during the Summer Nations Series, and Borthwick will want to test out his experienced men for such clashes.

13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais)

12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)

Manu Tuilagi was reportedly training outside of the rest of the squad, throughout England's preparations for last weekend's matcha against Wales. Borthwick may not want to risk the Sale Sharks man if he is not fully fit, in order to get the best possible version of Tuilagi for the clash with Fiji. After an impressive comeback to full fitness, Ollie Lawrence slots in at 12, with Joe Marchant outside him to re-create the same midfield from last weekend's win at Twickenham.

10. George Ford (Sale Sharks)

9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Following on from Owen Farrell's suspension, we expect to see George Ford lead the line in Dublin. Ford orchestrated the comeback victory against Wales at Twickenham, and would re-unite with former Leicester Tigers halfback partner Ben Youngs in a duo that Borthwick has tried and tested in the past.

Marcus Smith is dropped to the bench for this test, with the returning Alex Mitchell accompanying him on the bench. Mitchell gets the nod after Jack van Poortvliet's untimely injury, in what is an opportunity for the Saints man to showcase his talents against tier one opposition.

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears) (C)

2. Jamie George (Saracens)

3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)

In the absence of Owen Farrell, we have selected Ellis Genge to captain the side out from loosehead prop. In what could be his third test match with the armband, Genge will be eager to record his first victory at the helm. He's joined by first-choice hooker Jamie George, with Theo Dan on the bench, and Jack Walker still on the injury list. Will Stuart is retained after two impressive outings in the back-to-back matches against Wales.

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)

5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers)

The second row partnership of Maro Itoje and George Martin is likely to return at the Aviva Stadium, with David Ribbans on the bench. Martin's Leicester Tigers teammate Ollie Chessum did run out against the selected England team, in the warm-ups ahead of the match at Twickenham. However, similarly to Tuilagi, Borthwick may want to rest the lock ahead of the match against Fiji, to ensure his full fitness.

6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

7. Ben Earl (Saracens)

8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

After a Man of the Match performance against Wales at Twickenham, Saracens flanker Ben Earl returns to the starting line-up for England. We've picked Earl to make only his second ever start for his country, with his Sarries teammate Billy Vunipola once again packing down the number eight spot. Courtney Lawes gets our pick to once again run out on the blindside, with Jack Willis on the bench as versatile back-row cover.

We have opted for a five-three split in terms of the replacements, with Jamie George's Saracens understudy Theo Dan starting off the substitutes. He's joined by Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler as front row cover, with Will Stuart's impressive run of form keeping Sinckler out of his regularly occupied three jersey.

David Ribbans and Jack Willis occupy the remaining slots in the forwards, with the returning Alex Mitchell ready to make his mark as scrum half cover. We've gone with Mitchell over Danny Care, yet Care's Harlequin's halfback partner Marcus Smith adds an option at replacement fly half. Rounding off the subs bench is Henry Arundell, who is dropped down after running out to start last weekend against Wales.

16. Theo Dan (Saracens)

17. Joe Marler (Harlequins)

18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

19. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints)

20. Jack Willis (Toulouse)

21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

23. Henry Arundell (Racing 92)