Quick Read
- England Head Coach Steve Borthwick announced three changes for the Six Nations clash against Ireland.
- Henry Pollock will make his first Test start for England at No. 8.
- Captain Maro Itoje is set to earn his 100th England cap, becoming the ninth player to do so.
- Ollie Lawrence returns at centre, and Tommy Freeman shifts to the wing.
- Ireland narrowly defeated Italy in their last match, raising concerns about team consistency.
LONDON (Azat TV) – England Head Coach Steve Borthwick has announced significant team changes for their upcoming Six Nations clash against Ireland this Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Twickenham Stadium. The alterations include a first Test start for rising star Henry Pollock and a milestone 100th cap for captain Maro Itoje, as England seeks to rebound from a recent defeat to Scotland and regain momentum in the championship.
The highly anticipated fixture sees both nations grappling with recent mixed results, adding layers of pressure and strategic intrigue to the contest. England’s adjustments aim to inject fresh dynamism and address vulnerabilities exposed in their previous outing, while Ireland faces its own challenges after a narrow escape against Italy.
Pollock Earns First England Start, Itoje Hits Century Mark
Henry Pollock, the 21-year-old British and Irish Lion, will make his inaugural Test start at No. 8 for England. His inclusion is a key part of Steve Borthwick’s three changes to the starting XV, following the team’s sobering 31-20 loss to Scotland in Murrayfield. Pollock is expected to bring pace and dynamism to the back row, a facet identified as struggling in Edinburgh. Tom Curry also returns to the starting lineup at blindside flanker, with Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper moving to the bench, according to Sky Sports.
Adding a historic note to the match, captain Maro Itoje is set to earn his 100th England cap. The Saracens lock will become only the ninth player in England’s men’s rugby history to reach this prestigious century mark. Borthwick lauded Itoje’s achievement, stating, “To reach 100 caps for England is a remarkable achievement and speaks volumes about Maro’s consistency and professionalism over many years.”
Tactical Shifts and Player Returns for England
Further changes to the England squad include the return of Ollie Lawrence at outside centre, providing a physical edge in the midfield. This shift sees Tommy Freeman revert to the wing, replacing Tom Roebuck. Henry Arundell retains his place on the other wing, a decision backed by Borthwick despite Arundell receiving a red card in the Scotland game. A disciplinary hearing on Tuesday cleared Arundell, ruling that “no further sanction was appropriate” given the circumstances of his two yellow cards, as reported by BBC Sport.
The bench also reflects Borthwick’s strategic adjustments, featuring a 6-2 split of forwards and backs. Leicester scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith return among the substitutes, poised to offer creative spark and tempo late in the game.
Ireland Seeks Consistency After Italian Scare
Ireland, under Head Coach Andy Farrell, enters the Twickenham fixture following a less-than-convincing victory over Italy in Dublin. Despite a 3-try win, Ireland’s performance was described by Irish Echo as a “struggle,” with concerns raised about the team’s consistency and the form of young out-halves Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley. Farrell had made six changes for the Italy game in an attempt to “plug some holes,” a strategy that yielded mixed results.
The Irish side, which had previously won a Test series in New Zealand four seasons ago and defeated World Champions South Africa twice, is currently seen as “a far cry” from its former dominance. The team’s struggles in the tight and predictable play in the loose have been noted. Despite the performance, Farrell remained positive about the resilience shown against what he called “the best Italian team to play Ireland,” emphasizing the experience gained for his side.
The Stakes for Both Sides in the Six Nations
The match holds significant implications for both teams’ Six Nations campaigns. England’s 12-match winning streak was broken by Scotland, placing considerable pressure on them to regain form. Ireland, while securing a win, missed out on a bonus point against Italy due to a late error, highlighting areas for improvement.
The broader championship picture suggests France is on track for a Grand Slam, with England potentially vying for second place. The third spot is predicted to be a tight contest between Ireland, Scotland, and Italy. With both teams needing a decisive performance, Saturday’s encounter at Twickenham promises to be a pivotal moment in the 2026 Six Nations tournament.
The strategic team selections by both England and Ireland underscore the high stakes of this Six Nations encounter, reflecting a clear intent to address recent shortcomings and assert dominance in a championship currently characterized by shifting power dynamics.