England team announcement LIVE: Eddie Jones names squad to face Ireland in Six Nations clash

Follow the latest from Eddie Jones’s press conference as he names his England side amid a number of injury concerns

Eddie Jones makes race-related comment in England press conference

Follow the latest updates live from Eddie Jones’s press conference as he names his England side to face Ireland in the Six Nations this Sunday.

The England boss landed himself in a fresh controversy on Thursday when he made a race-related comment to a reporter during his press conference, which he was later forced to apologise for. The unwanted incident came amid growing pressure on the Australian, whose recent comments were criticised by Irish great Brian O’Driscoll earlier this week.

That furore has overshadowed the team selection this week, but Jones has this morning named a side showing four changes to the one that beat Scotland as Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs, Joe Marler and Courtney Lawes all return, while Elliot Daly moves to full-back in the absence of the injured George Furbank and Jonathan Joseph shifts to the wing. Jones will speak to the media from 11:45am to talk us through his selections. Follow the live updates below.

When is the match?

England vs Ireland takes place on Sunday 23 February at Twickenham.

What time does it start?

The match kicks off at 3pm GMT.

Key Points

• Eddie Jones names England team to face Ireland
• Jones makes four changes with George Furbank ruled out
• Tuilagi, Youngs, Lawes and Marler return; Joseph named on wing
• England boss will speak to the media from 11:45am
• Jones landed himself in a fresh controversy after jokingly accusing reporter of racism

[21 February 2020 11:21 · Jack de Menezes]

Jones will be here in about 25 minutes time to talk us through his selections, with the decision to play Joseph on the wing for the first time perhaps the most controversial given Ollie Thorley has been tearing up the Premiership for the last 18 months.

[21 February 2020 11:36 · Jack de Menezes]

We've had confirmation through that Owen Farrell will NOT be joining Eddie Jones at today's press conference, with George Ford instead joining Eddie Jones in his role as vice-captain.

I'm sure that has nothing to do with the identity of the Ireland coach...

[21 February 2020 11:44 · Jack de Menezes]

Eddie Jones and George Ford are here. Off we go...

[21 February 2020 11:46 · Jack de Menezes]

Eddie Jones: "We've had a really good preparation. Got a bit edgy on Tuesday and Wednesday but yesterday we probably had our best training run of the Six Nations.

"We're really happy with the team, strong forwards, strong backs. It's good to have Manu and Sladey back in the 23.

"They're both real class players so it's good to have them back."

[21 February 2020 11:46 · Jack de Menezes]

Eddie Jones: "George Furbank wasn't quite right, he wasn't able to train yesterday so we didn't want to risk him. It's a long-term groin injury that he's managed for the last year."

[21 February 2020 11:47 · Jack de Menezes]

Eddie Jones: "We're happy with Elliot at full-back and JJ has played on the wing before."

[21 February 2020 11:47 · Jack de Menezes]

Eddie Jones: "We don't think (Elliot Daly) has a deficiency under the high ball.

"JJ is a strong runner, has pace and is a good jumper under the high ball."

[21 February 2020 11:48 · Jack de Menezes]

Eddie Jones: "(Joe Marler) is ready to go. He's had a haircut, and he looks like the real business."

[21 February 2020 11:48 · Jack de Menezes]

Eddie Jones: "Ireland have got a lot of big carriers, Stander's a big carrier, Furlong's a big carrier and Ryan's a big carrier, and Courtney Lawes has great ruck defence."

[21 February 2020 11:49 · Jack de Menezes]

Eddie Jones: "They've had two games. They had a good win against Wales, a scratchy win against Scotland. But they're a good team, a great coach and we've got great defence for them."