Ireland vs England
Six Nations 2019
Venue: Aviva Stadium
Kick-off: 16.45 GMT, Saturday February 2
The Six Nations - now widely revered as perhaps the greatest rugby tournament in either hemisphere - returns in all its bruising glory this week, with Wales facing a Friday night trip to Paris and Italy attempting to end their 17-match winless run in Edinburgh.
However, those contests rather pale into insignificance in comparison with the weekend's main event - the small matter of a titanic clash between Ireland and England at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
Having claimed their third Grand Slam title courtesy of a hugely satisfying 24-15 victory at Twickenham on the final weekend in 2018, the hosts and defending champions head into this year's tournament hoping to justify their billing as clear favourites and as New Zealand's closest global rivals ahead of the looming World Cup.
Joe Schmidt, who will leave Ireland after that tournament in Japan and hand the reins over to defence coach Andy Farrell, saw his team consolidate their position as the world's second-ranked international outfit during a winning autumn that included restricting the All Blacks to an incredibly rare try-less outing in a second win over that illustrious opponent in as many years and a first at home.
England had previously assumed the mantle as New Zealand's biggest threat following a blistering first two years of Eddie Jones' reign that included two Six Nations titles, an 18-game unbeaten streak, 22 wins from 23 Tests and a historic series whitewash in Australia.
However, where 2018 was so memorable for Ireland, the previously dominant Red Rose endured something of a collapse.
They finished a paltry fifth in the Six Nations, lost five contests in a row and a series in South Africa before recovering somewhat during an autumn campaign in which they beat the Springboks, Australia and Japan as well as losing in heartbreaking fashion to the All Blacks.
Tensions and mind games have been on the agenda all week in the build-up to this mouthwatering showdown, with England assistant coach John Mitchell claiming that Ireland will essentially "try to bore the s*** out of us".
Team news and line-ups
England's ranks have been bolstered for the Six Nations by the return of several key players including Billy Vunipola, though Ben Te'o, Brad Shields and Joe Cokanasiga will all miss the opening fixture through injury.
Jones has opted to retain Elliot Daly at full-back despite Mike Brown's proven ability to operate under the high ball, with the latter - along with Joe Launchbury - missing out altogether as Chris Ashton is preferred as a replacement.
George Kruis - and not Courtney Lawes - gets the nod in the second row alongside Maro Itoje as England look to utilise the lineout, while Manu Tuilagi is set to make his first Six Nations start for almost six years at inside centre and Jack Nowell is recalled to the wing.
Tuilagi partners Henry Slade in midfield as captain Owen Farrell starts at fly-half and George Ford settles for a place on the bench.
As for Ireland, centre Robbie Henshaw will make a rare start at full-back instead of Rob Kearney and Josh van der Flier pips the fit-again Sean O'Brien on the openside.
Influential scrum-half Conor Murray returns to the starting XV after missing the autumn Tests with a neck injury.
Ireland XV: Henshaw; Earls, Ringrose, Aki, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (c), Furlong; Toner, Ryan; O'Mahony, Van Der Flier, Stander
Replacements: Cronin, Kilcoyne, Porter, Roux, O'Brien, Cooney, Carberry, Larmour
England XV: Daly; Nowell, Slade, Tuilagi, May; Farrell (c), Youngs; M.Vunipola, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Kruis; Wilson, T.Curry, B.Vunipola
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Williams, Lawes, Hughes, Robson, Ford, Ashton
Score prediction: Ireland 20-10 England
While there is always a chance that an improved England side with the majority of their key operators fit could catch Ireland cold on the opening weekend, it is incredibly difficult to pick against this current Ireland team in what is certain to be a lively atmosphere.
England have struggled in Dublin since ending a 10-year winless run there back in 2013, losing 19-9 in 2015 before a 13-9 defeat that ended their winning run two years ago.
One thing is for definite - this will not be a match for the faint-hearted and is expected to be lacking in attacking verve and regular try-scoring opportunities.
Instead, expect no shortage of bone-shuddering hits, physical carries, defensive steel and plenty of booming, probing kicks from the respective boots of Johnny Sexton and Murray.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Ireland to win: 1/3
- Draw: 22/1
- England to win: 3/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
ITV and the BBC are sharing broadcasting rights for the Six Nations for the third successive year, with ITV hosting Ireland v England on its main free-to-air channel and via the ITV Player.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to Head record and history (h2h)
The teams have met on no fewer than 133 previous occasions, with England boasting 76 victories to Ireland's 49. Eight of those matches have ended in draws.
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