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:
England and Ireland preparing to announce teams for Twickenham showdown
Not long now until our next two team announcements this afternoon, with England and Ireland both due to be naming their sides at 2pm. The pair will face off in a Twickenham showdown on Saturday and we’re expecting a couple of changes in the England side with the likes of wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, scrum half Alex Mitchell and lock George Martin all pushing to be included in the starting XV.
Huw Jones outlines Italy challenge faced by Scotland
Huw Jones retained his place in the centres for Scotland’s trip to Rome on Saturday, although he will have a new midfield partner with Cam Redpath replacing the injured Sione Tuipulotu.
In an interview with scottishrugby.org, Jones has discussed the championship so far and what to expect from the Azzurri on Saturday as they look to build on a 13-13 draw with France last time out.
Jones said: “They’ve got attacking threat, great shape and they have talented players. I think from that perspective they’re a threat with ball in hand but are also managing games well.
“They are strong tacklers who are good under the ball and at winning turnovers. As a team we’ve previewed them, we know how they play and what their strengths are. We’re going to have to be at our best to beat them over there but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to”.
RFU teaming up with Alzheimer’s Society to increase dementia awareness
The RFU has teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Society in a bid to increase awareness of dementia. An Alzheimer’s Society information stand will be located in the Twickenham fan zone on Saturday for England’s Six Nations clash with Ireland as the RFU backs the charity’s Sport United Against Dementia campaign.
Alzheimer’s Society chief executive officer Kate Lee said: “Alzheimer’s Society is proud to be working alongside the RFU to reach supporters who might be worried about dementia, but are unsure where to turn.
“We hope fans will drop into our stand at Twickenham to chat about any of their concerns. Thousands of people are living with undiagnosed dementia, unsure of the symptoms and too afraid to visit a GP. Getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but only then can you unlock the door to potential treatments, care and support.”
One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime and by 2025 one million will be living with the condition, the charity says.
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “Dementia impacts so many individuals and their families and we’re pleased to be able to support the vital work of raising awareness, with the many thousands of people in the stadium as well as those watching at home.”
Alzheimer’s Society funds research into whether elite rugby players show more early warning signs of dementia than the general population and, if so, why. The PREVENT:RFC study follows 50 former elite rugby players, including ex-England and forward Leicester Ben Kay, and is part of a wider study involving hundreds of people.
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.
George Horne handed rare start as Scotland make three changes for Italy clash
Horne will be the scrum half for the trip to Italy with Andy Christie and Cam Redpath the other alterations to the starting XV
Rory Best explains qualities that make Jamie George ideal England captain
Rory Best and Jamie George hit it off on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour, with the two hookers escaping the trip to New Zealand as friends - something that the former Ireland captain says is mightily rare.
“It’s quite unusual for hookers to come away from a tour still friendly!” Best told The Independent. “There’s always something, because it is such a combative position. But I took a lot from him on that tour in how to lead people off the pitch.
“He’s a cracking guy and I think he is going to be so important for England for the next few years. They have a lot of good young players but you need this core of people who have been there and done it and are still playing at the top level. Like Maro Itoje, like Jamie, like George Ford, even Dan Cole and Joe Marler – you need that core of players to buy in to what Steve is about and Jamie is going to pivotal to that.”
Chandler Cunningham-South pleased to be reaping the rewards after a ‘big step’
Chandler Cunningham-South is relishing every minute of the Six Nations maelstrom as he prepares to play a part in England’s daunting clash with back-to-back Grand Slam chasers Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.
Cunningham-South’s gamble in leaving New Zealand, where he had lived since the age of four, to return to the UK two years ago has paid off handsomely with his ascendancy to the full England squad for the first time this year.
His debut off the bench in the opening win over Italy, and subsequent appearances against both Wales and Scotland, have appeared to make the Harlequins flanker an integral part of head coach Steve Borthwick’s long-term plans.
“It has been a really big step up for me and I think I have done all right,” said Cunningham-South. “I think I am the youngest in the squad and I have been taken under a few people’s wings.
“I like it. Especially when we were up in Edinburgh getting off the bus – all the heckling and yelling. That sort of stuff motivates me and gives me an extra bit of energy.”
Chandler Cunningham-South pleased to be reaping the rewards after a ‘big step’
The Harlequins flanker appears to be an integral part of head coach Steve Borthwick’s long-term England plans.
Wales forward Mackenzie Martin hopes to be a role model for the Ely community
Mackenzie Martin hopes he can be a “trailblazer” to inspire young people in Cardiff’s Ely community after making his Wales debut following just nine games of professional rugby.
The 20-year-old featured as a replacement in Wales’ 31-7 Guinness Six Nations defeat against Ireland.
Ely, a western Cardiff suburb, has not always enjoyed positive headlines and was the scene of major riots in 1991 and 2023.
Martin grew up on the estate’s Grand Avenue, and he is the latest sportsman to emerge from an area that can boast a portfolio containing Ryan Giggs, Steve Robinson and his fellow boxer Nicky Piper.
“I hope I can be a trailblazer,” Cardiff back-row forward Martin said. “I hope the kids are going to look up to me.”
Wales forward Mackenzie Martin hopes to be a role model for the Ely community
The back-row prospect from the western Cardiff suburb hopes to lead by example.
Women’s Six Nations around the corner...
There are just two rounds left in the men’s competition, but the Six Nations fun doesn’t end after next weekend, with an eagerly anticipated Women’s Six Nations arriving in just over a fortnight. England begin life under John Mitchell hot favourites to retain their crown, but all six competing teams showed signs of real encouragement at WXV in the autumn and will hope to test the Red Roses.
Here’s the fixture list:
Gregor Townsend discusses Scotland selection
Some more from Scotland coach on his team selection for Saturday’s clash with Italy. Flanker Andy Christie, scrum half George Horne and centre Cam Redpath all coming into the team.
Scotland have two wins from three in this year’s championship with that controversial loss to France their only defeat, from which they bounced back to impressively down England in the Calcutta Cup last time out.
“Happy-ish,” said Townsend, reflecting on the campaign so far. “You’ve obviously got to be delighted for the team to beat England and retain the Calcutta Cup.
“But in terms of performance, we’re a little bit away from what we know we can deliver. The first 45 minutes against Wales is probably still the best we’ve played.
“We had elements of control throughout much of the France game and for the last 60 minutes of the England game. But there’s still a lot more to come from us.
“We feel Ben [White, dropped scurm half] has played a lot of rugby, he’s only missed one game since October. Going back and forward to Toulon during this period, something’s got to give in terms of a rest at some point, and we feel this week is the best week for him to recharge.
“And also with the form and experience of the two other scrum-halves in our squad who have been training really well. George [Horne] has been on the bench and Ali [Price] has been excellent during this period so we want to give those two an opportunity.”
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.
What are smart mouthguards and how are they being used in the Six Nations?
It is hoped that the introduction of implemented mouthguards can help detect possible concussions
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