Six Nations 2024 LIVE: England name Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in starting side plus Ireland and Scotland team news

Flying winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is handed a first start, while Alex Mitchell returns from injury at scrum half as Steve Borthwick’s England face grand slam-chasing Ireland at Twickenham

England were taught a real painful lesson by Scotland, says Steve Borthwick

After almost two weeks off, the fourth round of the 2024 Six Nations is nearly upon us with another enticing trio of matches lined up for the weekend as the championship heads towards its conclusion.

Ireland will look to continue their search for historic consecutive Six Nations grand slams when they take on England at Twickenham. Andy Farrell’s men have been unbeatable in the tournament so far and dominated Wales 31-7 in their last outing.

Meanwhile, Steve Borthwick’s side have something to prove following a 30-21 loss to Scotland in the Calcutta Cup and a headline-grabbing victory over the Irish could be just the thing to get their campaign back on track. Alex Mitchell returns to the side at scrum half and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is handed a first start on the wing but Marcus Smith is only given a place on the bench.

Italy, fresh off a 13-13 draw with France, host Gregor Townsend’s Scotland who will be thinking about ending their campaign on a high after regaining their momentum against England. Intriguingly, France travel to Wales where Warren Gatland’s young side hope to transfer decent performances into winning results.

Follow below for today’s team announcements and all the latest news ahead of the third round of matches this weekend:

Six Nations news and updates live

• The Six Nations has reached the penultimate round with three more matches this weekend
• England take on grand slam-chasing Ireland, Italy host Scotland and Wales face France
• Immanuel Feyi-Waboso handed first start as Steve Borthwick makes three changes to England side
• Ireland opt for continuity with Hugo Keenan fit to return at full back
• Cameron Redpath replaces injured Sione Tuipulotu and George Horne handed rare start for Scotland
• Louis Lynagh to make Italy debut against Scotland after leaving Harlequins
• George North dropped as Warren Gatland makes big calls for Wales clash with France

[7 March 2024 17:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

What are smart mouthguards and how are they being used in the Six Nations?

Round two of the Six Nations featured a historic moment as Scotland hooker George Turner became the first player in the championship’s history to be removed after his smart mouthguard detected a collision which could have caused a concussion.

Turner was removed from the pitch during the first half of Scotland’s defeat to France for a head injury assessment after his mouthguard alerted medical staff of a significant head acceleration event after a tackle made on Charles Ollivon. The front rower passed his assessment and returned to the field.

The mouthguards, also known as gumshields, have been incorporated into the existing HIA protocols as another tool designed to support the drive towards better player welfare with a particular focus on brain injuries.

[7 March 2024 17:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Pete Horne gives insight into Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe’s driven mindset

Pete Horne has given an insight into the driven mindset of record-chasing Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe ahead of the Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome.

The 28-year-old’s match-defining hat-trick against England a week past Saturday took him to 26 international touchdowns, within one of Stuart Hogg at the top of the Scots’ list of all-time try-scorers.

Van Der Merwe could equal or break the record if he crosses the whitewash at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend.

[7 March 2024 16:45 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Six Nations 2024 schedule in full: Fixtures, kick-off times and results

[7 March 2024 16:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

It’s been class – Sam Underhill delighted to be back as main man for England

Sam Underhill is savouring his England revival having feared his international career might already be over.

Underhill is poised to win his 34th cap in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham after returning to favour under Steve Borthwick – a comeback he views as a personal triumph.

Still only 27, the big-hitting Bath flanker missed 20 successive Tests from the second match of the 2022 tour to Australia because of a combination of concussion and selection.

But a sliding doors moment arrived when Jack Willis sustained a neck injury in last autumn’s World Cup and Underhill was propelled straight into the back row for the bronze final against Argentina.

A defensive masterclass consisting of 24 tackles resulted in the man of the match award and now that he has played four consecutive Tests, he grants himself a moment of recognition.

[7 March 2024 16:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Centre Huw Jones: I was ‘tempted’ by move to France before committing to Glasgow

Scotland centre Huw Jones revealed he was “tempted” by the prospect of a move to France but he ultimately felt that remaining with buoyant Glasgow was the right decision for his career overall.

The on-form 30-year-old was the subject of recent interest from Top 14 side Montpellier and was also linked with Bayonne.

However, he ended speculation about his future last week by signing a new two-year deal to commit his future to Warriors until 2026.

Jones, whose partner is expecting a baby at the start of April, admitted the prospect of following Scotland colleagues Blair Kinghorn and Ben White to France did hold some appeal.

“I’ve said in the past that I’d be open to a move to France, so, yeah, it was certainly tempting,” he said, speaking from the Scotland camp ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match away to Italy.

[7 March 2024 16:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Former great Diego Dominguez believes in bright future for Italy

Diego Dominguez, Italy’s highest-ever points scorer, played a major role in their Six Nations beginnings and, despite their struggles since, is optimistic for Italian rugby‘s future.

Dominguez scored 983 points and without him Italy may not even be involved in the Six Nations today. He helped Italy to wins over Ireland, Scotland and France in the 90s, which paved the way for their inclusion.

Italy made their Six Nations debut in 2000 against Scotland in Rome, where Dominguez kicked 29 points as they pulled off a surprise 34-20 win.

“It was an extraordinary game, for Italy’s rugby movement, for the team on the field, for the people who watched in the stands,” Dominguez told Reuters.

“We were underdogs and Scotland arrived as champions, but that day they found a very united team, with a lot of character, where many things came easily.”

Things do not come so easily these days. Italy go into Saturday’s game at home to Scotland still without a victory this year, but Dominguez has seen plenty of positives and believes they should have won in France.

A late penalty miss meant the game ended in a 13-13 draw after Paolo Garbisi almost ran out of time when the ball fell from the tee as French players advanced illegally and his kick hit the post.

“They clearly broke the laws which are very clear. It was a young referee, his first Six Nations game, but this was a serious mistake,” Dominguez said.

“It wasn’t just once, they advanced two or three times. The kick wasn’t difficult, but the ball falls, they come in front of him, anyway, Italy deserved to win.

“Next is Scotland, who for me were one of the favourites before the championship started. We’ll have a full stadium in Rome and two very motivated teams.”

Italy were inches away from a famous victory against France (Getty Images)

[7 March 2024 15:45 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Six Nations round four match officials

Italy v Scotland (Saturday 9 March, Rome)

Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)

ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Adam Leal (Eng)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

England v Ireland (Saturday 9 March, Twickenham)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)

ARs: Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Craig Evans (Wal)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

Wales v France (Sunday 10 March, Cardiff)

Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)

ARs: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Damian Schneider (Arg)

TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

[7 March 2024 15:30 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Steve Borthwick: ‘Ireland are the best team in the world'

“Ireland are the best team in the world,” Steve Borthwick said earlier. “They might not have won the World Cup, but they are the best team in the world. Their attack is probably the best in the world. We are going to be really tested there and I’m looking forward to seeing our defence go against that test.

“We’ve forced teams to make a lot of errors, and we’ve started to capitalise on those. But if they are allowed to get into their rhythm, they are a very strong side.”

[7 March 2024 15:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

What do Ireland need to win the Six Nations against England this weekend?

Ireland could secure successive Six Nations crowns with a game to spare as they travel to Twickenham to take on England in round four this weekend.

Andy Farrell’s side remain unbeaten in this year’s championship and will hope to make history as the first men’s team to secure back-to-back grand slams since the tournament’s expansion to six teams.

After taking on England on Saturday, Ireland host Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Super Saturday — but the title could be sewn up before then.

[7 March 2024 15:04 · Luke Baker]

George Horne handed rare start as Scotland make three changes for Italy clash

Scrum half George Horne has been handed a surprise start for Scotland’s Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome on Saturday, with Gregor Townsend making three changes to his starting XV.

The 28-year-old Glasgow back has been given the nod to wear the number nine jersey for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. Regular starter Ben White is rested and drops out of the squad altogether, with Ali Price – who has played no part in the tournament – promoted to the bench.

Saracens flanker Andy Christie is handed his first international start in place of Jamie Ritchie, who is among the substitutes.

Bath centre Cameron Redpath made a positive impact off the bench in the 30-21 victory over England and replaces Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu, who will miss the remainder of the championship with a knee injury.

Back-rower Matt Fagerson, who dropped out of the 23 altogether for the last match, returns to the bench, with Townsend switching from a 5/3 split to a 6/2.