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:
Six Nations 2024: Match officials for this weekend’s fixtures
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)
Six Nations referees: Who are the match officials for the tournament?
The world’s top officials have been appointed to fixtures in this year’s championship
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.
Centre Huw Jones: I was ‘tempted’ by move to France before committing to Glasgow
The on-form 30-year-old was the subject of recent interest from Top 14 side Montpellier and was also linked with Bayonne.
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.
But assistant coach Horne revealed how the combative wing returned to camp last Thursday – just five days after his Calcutta Cup heroics – and immediately wanted to start working on becoming stronger in contact and not getting turned over as often.
Pete Horne gives insight into Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe’s driven mindset
The 28-year-old’s match-defining hat-trick against England a week past Saturday took him to 26 international touchdowns.
Six Nations 2024 LIVE: What do Ireland need to win the championship this weekend?
Ireland are on the brink of another Six Nations crown, and could even secure it at Twickenham on Saturday. What do they need? Here’s how things stand:
What do Ireland need to win the Six Nations against England this weekend?
Andy Farrell’s side could win another Six Nations championship at Twickenham
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.
It’s been class – Sam Underhill delighted to be back as main man for England
Underhill is poised to win his 34th cap in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham.
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.
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
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso set for first England start against Ireland
England will confirm their team to face Ireland at 2pm GMT this afternoon, with Steve Borthwick set to speak to the media at 2.30pm. The Independent understands that young wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is set to be included on the wing for a first start at international level, with Elliot Daly dropping out and George Martin due to bolster the starting pack after making his return from injury off the bench against Scotland.
Kevin Sinfield reveals key attribute returning Marcus Smith has brought to England training
Fin Smith is a major doubt for England’s clash with Ireland on Saturday with Marcus Smith ready to step into the breach for the penultimate round of the Six Nations.
Fin Smith was the solitary member of Steve Borthwick’s squad to miss training on Tuesday as he recovers from a calf injury and with only Thursday’s main session left before the Twickenham showdown, time is running out to prove his fitness.
The 21-year-old fly-half has won his first two caps in his breakthrough season for England, coming on as a replacement for George Ford against Italy and Scotland, but could now slip out of the 23.
“We have tried to look after him the last couple of days and we are hoping he will be in full training on Thursday. We are looking after him,” skills and kicking coach Kevin Sinfield said.
If Fin Smith is unable to convince Borthwick on Thursday that he is capable of facing Grand Slam-chasing Ireland, Marcus Smith is available to take his place on the bench.
Kevin Sinfield reveals key attribute returning Marcus Smith has brought for England
Fly half Smith could start in the Six Nations clash with Ireland this weekend
Rory Best explains exactly how Andy Farrell has taken Ireland to the brink of history
A grand slam is the ultimate goal for Ireland, though, as they look to become the first men’s team to complete back-to-back Six Nations clean sweeps. It would be a remarkable achievement for Andy Farrell, a man who arrived in Ireland in 2016 with his reputation in need of rebuilding. Rory Best was Ireland captain when Farrell first arrived on Joe Schmidt’s staff, and we caught up with the former Ireland hooker to find out how Farrell built one of the great sides in championship history.
Rory Best explains exactly how Andy Farrell has taken Ireland to the brink of history
Ireland could become the first side to win back-to-back Six Nations grand slams
Gregor Townsend explains Scotland selection calls.
A few words from Scotland coach Gregor Townsend about the selection calls he’s made – and those three changes in particular.
On Cameron Redpath in for the injured Sione Tuipulotu: “It’s disappointing news that Sione is injured. He is a key part of our team, both in terms of how he plays and how he leads. Cam is in really good form in training and also when he’s had the opportunities this year. He has a conenction with Finn [Russell] from club level which should mean the cohesion is still there, even though we’ve made that change.”
On George Horne starting at scrum half over Ben White: “We made that decision for two reasons really. Firstly, to reward George and Ali [Price, named on the bench] who have been in very good form for us and with their clubs as well. Also it was to give Ben a rest – he’s played a lot of rugby since September/October and a lot of rugby through this period as well, so we feel he needs a recharge this week. I’m looking forward to George having a start and Ali bringing his experience on at some point.”
On Andy Christie starting in the back row: “Andy Christie played a lot of rugby before the Six Nations, he was consistent with Saracens and knocking hard on the door for selection for us. He’s come off the bench in the last two games and really made a difference. He’s added energy, did well in defence and as part of our attack, so he’s earned the right to start.”
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