Henry Pollock handed first England begin in Six Nations conflict with Eire | Six Nations 2026

Henry Pollock has been handed his first England begin in opposition to Eire whereas Steve Borthwick has recalled Tom Curry and Ollie Lawrence as he seeks to get his facet’s Six Nations marketing campaign again on monitor.

Henry Arundell has been retained after escaping a suspension whereas Tommy Freeman shifts again to the wing to accommodate Lawrence and Marcus Smith comes again on to the replacements bench.

Pollock has made seven appearances as a alternative however after watching his facet slip to a disappointing 30-21 defeat at Murrayfield, Borthwick has seen match handy the 21-year-old a primary begin at No 8 with Ben Earl shifting to openside flanker. Pollock caught the attention in opposition to Scotland off the bench and provides some much-needed verve to the facet.

Curry, in the meantime, makes his first England begin in virtually a yr at blindside flanker after being utilised extra lately as a part of Borthwick’s “Pom Squad”. He changed Sam Underhill at half-time in opposition to Scotland and has pledged to deliver a bodily edge in opposition to Eire on Saturday. Underhill and Man Pepper – each of whom upset in opposition to Scotland – drop to the bench.

Lawrence’s recall means Freeman shifts to the wing and Tom Roebuck drops out of the squad completely. Freeman has began the primary two matches of England’s Six Nations marketing campaign within the No 13 jersey however Lawrence provides extra punch and reprises a centre partnership with Fraser Dingwall that shone within the autumn victory over New Zealand.

Arundell’s reprieve comes after his purple card for 2 yellows in opposition to Scotland. The Tub winger confronted a disciplinary listening to on Tuesday morning however the panel decided that his dismissal within the forty seventh minute at Murrayfield for a second yellow card was adequate punishment.

The entrance row is unchanged with Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Joe Heyes protecting their locations whereas Maro Itoje wins his a hundredth England cap within the second row alongside Ollie Chessum. Alex Mitchell and George Ford are the half-backs with Freddie Steward once more at full-back.

On the bench, Bevan Rodd, Jamie George and Trevor Davison present front-row cowl, Alex Coles joins Underhill and Pepper as one in all six forwards whereas Jack van Poortvliet is the back-up scrum-half, changing Ben Spencer. Marcus Smith is available in for namesake Fin within the No 23 jersey to supply some extra creativity.

Of Itoje’s milestone, Borthwick mentioned: “To achieve 100 caps for England is a exceptional achievement and speaks volumes about Maro’s consistency and professionalism over a few years. He leads via his actions each day, units the usual for others and cares deeply about representing his nation. We’re all extremely pleased with what he has achieved, and I do know it will likely be a special occasion for him and his household.”