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
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:
More from Steve Borthwick on the England team
“Continuity in selection is one very important factor. As we build this team, it is an important factor. We know in the Scotland game that there were errors, and it was the first time in a while I’ve seen the shirt feel heavy on the players. We made some errors and then started playing in a different way. And when you start deviating from the way you want to play, it leads to more errors.
“But I believe in these players, and they are determined to put in a performance this weekend. I’ve sensed determination since that final whistle [at Murrayfield].
“We are trying to make an environment here where the players enjoy it. We know mistakes will be made but we want to keep doing the right thing. I back the players. We are disappointed in the performance and the result, but this is a group that has made enormous progress over the last year. It’s not always helped the team to have lots of changes regularly, and I think this is the right team for this weekend.”
Ireland recall ‘world-class’ Hugo Keenan in only change for England clash
Ireland have recalled “world-class” Hugo Keenan for Saturday’s clash with England but will be without lock James Ryan for the remainder of the Six Nations.
Fit-again full back Keenan replaces Ciaran Frawley in the only change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV after overcoming the knee issue which caused him to miss the 31-7 round-three win over Wales.
Lock Ryan, who has been reduced to a peripheral role during the championship, suffered a “freak” bicep injury in training on Wednesday and will sit out the trip to Twickenham, in addition to next week’s finale against Scotland.
Ireland recall ‘world-class’ Hugo Keenan in only change for England clash
Keenan is back after missing the win over Wales through injury but lock James Ryan has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations
Jamie George on his close mate Danny Care, who is set to win his 100th cap
“I’m incredibly proud of him as a mate. We are very close and he’s had to work incredibly hard to get to this milestone. He made his professional debut in 2003! An incredible guy, an amazing player, and he deserves this moment. Hopefully we make it special for him.”
Steve Borthwick on England’s selection
“Everyone was available for selection. It’s great that Marcus Smith and Alex Mitchell have returned to fitness. Fin Smith took a knock in the Scotland game but trained fully today.
[On Immanuel Feyi-Waboso]: “He was full of gratitude. We see these young players with incredible ability and determination, each time you throw a challenge at them, they seem to relish that challenge. We’ve seen him progress brilliantly and he has earned this opportunity.
“The blend of players is important. Manny came on to the field two weeks ago and had an incredible impact. He is a player who wants the ball.”
Danny Care set to win 100th cap
The other headline news from that England selection is that Danny Care is in line to win his 100th cap from the bench, becoming his country’s sixth male centurion. We spoke to him ahead of the Scotland game to find out how he keeps himself going.
Danny Care is not done yet – England’s survivor on Scotland and ‘freedom’
Interview: The veteran scrum-half is set to win his 99th cap against Scotland on Saturday as he continues to write an unexpected final chapter in his England career
Louis Lynagh to make Italy debut as Azzurri team named to face Scotland
Team news galore now as Italy have named their side to take on Scotland. Louis Lynagh will make his debut on the wing, winning his first cap after recently moving to Benetton from Harlequins.
The son of Australia legend Michael Lynagh was also eligible for the Wallabies and England but has opted to tie his international colours to the Azzurri mast
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to make first start as England confirm team for Ireland clash
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will make his first international start as Steve Borthwick makes three changes to the England team to face Ireland.
Exeter wing Feyi-Waboso replaces Elliot Daly in the starting side after making his Test debut against Italy in round one.
The 21-year-old scored his first try for England off the bench against Scotland a fortnight ago and earns promotion, while George Martin is also brought in to beef up the pack, with Ollie Chessum moved to the blindside.
Alex Mitchell returns from injury at scrum half and a fit-again Marcus Smith provides extra quality on the bench.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to make first start as England confirm team for Ireland clash
The Exeter wing replaces Elliot Daly in the starting side
Ireland opt for continuity for England clash
A little bit more on the Ireland team. Ciaran Frawley drops to the bench as Hugo Keenan is fit again, so takes back the No 15 jersey, joining Calvin Nash and James Lowe in the back three.
Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki continue in the centres, with no Garry Ringrose in the 23, while Iain Henderson replace the injured James Ryan on the bench as second row cover.
Ireland XV: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. James Lowe, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony (captain), 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Ryan Baird, 21. Jack Conan, 22. Conor Murray, 23. Ciaran Frawley
Ireland name team to take on England
Double team news time as Ireland’s squad has also dropped.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso starts as England confirm team to face Ireland
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will make his first international start with England head coach Steve Borthwick making three changes for the clash with Ireland.
The Exeter wing replaces Elliot Daly in the starting side, with Alex Mitchell fit to return at scrum half.
George Martin is promoted to the starting side to partner Maro Itoje in the second row. Ollie Chessum starts on the blindside.
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (capt.), 3 Dan Cole; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 George Ford; 11 Tommy Freeman, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; 15 George Furbank.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Alex Dombrandt; 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Elliot Daly.
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