Quick Read
- England and Ireland will face off in a crucial Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium on February 21, 2026.
- England seeks to rebound from a 31-20 defeat by Scotland, which ended their 12-match winning streak.
- Ireland aims to stay in the championship race after a mixed start, including a heavy loss to France and a narrow win over Italy.
- England wing Henry Arundell has been cleared to play despite a red card in the previous match and leads try-scoring with four.
- Ireland has made five changes, including Jack Crowley starting at fly-half and the return of several British and Irish Lions.
LONDON (Azat TV) – England and Ireland are poised for a high-stakes Six Nations showdown at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 2:10 PM GMT. This clash is deemed crucial for both nations, as England seeks to rebound from a significant defeat and Ireland aims to solidify its championship aspirations after a challenging start to the tournament.
England Seeks Redemption After Scotland Defeat
England enters this fixture determined to overcome a chastening 31-20 defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield, a loss that abruptly ended their impressive 12-match winning streak. Coach Steve Borthwick’s side, which was among the pre-tournament favorites, understands that another poor performance could extinguish their Six Nations title hopes. Despite the setback, England remains the bookmakers’ favorite for the upcoming match, eyeing a tenth successive home victory.
In a significant boost for England, wing Henry Arundell has been cleared to play against Ireland. Arundell, who leads the tournament’s try-scoring rankings with four tries, including a hat-trick against Wales, received an automatic 20-minute red card during the Scotland match after accumulating two yellow cards. However, a disciplinary hearing found that ‘no further sanction was appropriate,’ ruling the sending off a sufficient penalty given the nature of the offenses.
Borthwick has made three changes to his starting lineup following the Scotland game. Henry Pollock will make his first start for England at No 8, with Tom Curry moving to blindside flanker and Ben Earl to openside, forming a highly mobile back row. Ollie Lawrence steps in at outside center, and Tommy Freeman shifts to the right wing, replacing Tom Roebuck. Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and fly-half/full-back Marcus Smith are named among the replacements, while Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is expected to miss the remainder of the tournament due to injury.
Ireland’s Bid to Reassert Dominance
Ireland, meanwhile, is under pressure to deliver a statement performance to remain firmly in the championship picture. Their campaign began with a dismal 36-14 defeat to France in Paris—their heaviest Six Nations loss in 16 years—followed by an unconvincing 20-13 victory over Italy. This mixed start has fueled an ongoing debate about a potential ‘Ireland in decline.’
Head coach Andy Farrell has made five changes to his squad for the trip to Twickenham, emphasizing experience and a renewed focus. Jack Crowley has been reinstated at fly-half, replacing Sam Prendergast, who struggled against Italy. British and Irish Lions Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, and Josh van der Flier have all been recalled to the starting XV. Furlong replaces Thomas Clarkson at tighthead prop, while Beirne and Van der Flier come in for Cormac Izuchukwu and Jack Conan in the back row, with captain Caelan Doris reverting to No 8.
Farrell has urged his team to ‘put our stamp’ on the game, stressing that their perceived underdog status should not affect their approach to this ‘must-win’ fixture. Ireland will also aim for a strong start, learning from Scotland’s example against England last week, where they quickly established a significant lead. Captain Caelan Doris highlighted the need for ‘set-piece dominance’ to counter England’s strengths.
Historical Rivalry and Match Dynamics
The rivalry between England and Ireland has often produced thrilling encounters. While England boasts a strong home record, having won their last nine matches at Twickenham, Ireland has historically performed well against them, winning five of their last six meetings. A notable recent clash saw Ireland, then favorites, lose 23-22 to England in 2024 due to a late Marcus Smith drop-goal.
Italian referee Andrea Piardi, who has garnered praise for his officiating in high-profile matches, will oversee the game. The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 in the UK, with free live streaming available via ITVX, ensuring fans can follow every moment of this critical encounter.
Crucial Test for Championship Hopes
This match represents a pivotal moment for both England and Ireland in their 2026 Six Nations campaigns. For England, it’s an immediate opportunity to demonstrate resilience and reaffirm their championship credentials after a disappointing loss. For Ireland, it’s a chance to silence critics, prove their quality against a top-tier opponent, and keep their Grand Slam aspirations alive, making the outcome highly influential for the trajectory of the tournament.