If it doesn’t, then Ireland’s title hopes will be gone, in advance of games at home to Wales and Scotland. England have an aggressive frontrow and they will target the Irish scrum, as they did the Scottish scrum last week. And from that moment onwards, the scrum will be a huge, pivotal battle on which the match could hinge. But home advantage is huge in the Six Nations and the suspicion lurks that England are that bit more desperate. Last five meetings – 2025: Ireland 27 England 22; 2024: England 23 Ireland 22; 2023: Ireland 29 England 10; 2023: Ireland 29 England 16; 2022: England 15 Ireland 32-15.

Source: The Irish Times February 20, 2026 20:42 UTC