Premier Sports will broadcast live and exclusive coverage of the Ireland XV (Ireland A) v England A on Friday 6 February as two of world rugby’s deepest player pathways go head-to-head in a fixture that has become a proving ground for future test internationals.
⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content!
The partnership with the IRFU follows Premier Sports’ UK broadcasts of two England A matches in November last year; England A v All Blacks XV from The Rec in Bath (Sat Nov 8 2025) and England A v Australia A (Sat 17 Nov 2025).
The ‘A’ fixture adds to Premier Sports’ live UK coverage of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations with five games (one per round) from the big tournament, opening with Italy v Scotland on Saturday 7 February live from The Stadio Olympico in Rome (2.10pm UK).
The traditional “Wolfhounds vs Saxons” A team rivalry returns under the Friday-night lights at Thomond Park in Limerick with a host of eye-catching young talent on show from both countries.
Ireland XV (Ireland A) v England A on Premier Sports will be shown across the UK and Ireland and include full match presentation, pre-match build-up and post-match analysis. Broadcast talent and pundit line-ups will be confirmed shortly.
Ireland have named their 27-player Ireland XV squad, captained by Leinster’s Max Deegan, featuring a blend of capped internationals, returning performers and fast-tracked URC academy prospects.
The squad includes brothers Jack and Ben Murphy (Ulster fly-half and Connacht scrum-half) sons of Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy, Ulster wing Zac Ward, Munster back-row Brian Gleeson, and three-cap Ulster centre James Hume, as Ireland use the fixture to test combinations and build depth beyond Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad. The match also marks a rare opportunity for several young Munster players to run out at Thomond Park in national colours.
The two sides last met at Ashton Gate in Bristol in February 2025 where England A claimed a 28–12 victory in a match that proved influential for senior selection.
The fixture arrives just 24 hours after Ireland’s Six Nations opener in France, giving additional context to selection dynamics and pushing the spotlight firmly onto those players seeking to force their way into senior reckoning over the coming weeks.
LATEST SIX NATIONS RUGBY NEWS
- Gregor Townsend on the key rule change that will change Scotland’s approach this Six Nations
- Wainwright reveals emotions as Wales star embraces international return
- “England as Favourites” – Anthony Watson firmly backs England for 2026 Six Nations Grand Slam
- Bundee Aki and Hugo Keenan sent home from Ireland squad ahead of 2026 Six Nations opener
- Injury update on Ireland prop Jack Boyle as Leinster front row misses 2026 Six Nations camp
