Both sides arrive in London with a desperate need to assert their title credentials; England looking to bounce back from a bruising Calcutta Cup defeat, while Ireland aim to prove that their clinical edge remains sharp following a hard-fought victory over Italy.
History hangs heavy over this fixture, with 143 Test matches and the prestigious Millennium Trophy on the line. While England has traditionally dominated on home soil with 48 wins at Twickenham (now Allianz Stadium), modern encounters have been a near-even split, reflecting the fierce competitive parity of the professional era. Tactical intrigue abounds as Alex Mitchell’s aerial bombardment meets the rising talent of Irish fullback Jamie Osborne. In a rivalry where the margins are razor-thin, expect a high-stakes battle of physicality and territory as these two heavyweights collide.
🗓️ Date: Saturday 21 February 2026
🕒 Kick-off: 14:10 GMT
🏟️ Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
🎟️ Tickets: Available via the RFU
📺 How to Watch: Live on ITV (UK) and RTÉ (IRE) - more TV info here.
👥 Teams
England: 15. Freddie Steward; 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 11. Henry Arundell; 10. George Ford, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Joe Heyes; 4. Maro Itoje (c), 5. Ollie Chessum; 6. Tom Curry, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Henry Pollock
Replacements: 16. Jamie George (vc), 17. Bevan Rodd, 18. Trevor Davison, 19. Alex Coles, 20. Guy Pepper, 21. Sam Underhill, 22. Jack van Poortvliet, 23. Marcus Smith
Ireland: 15. Jamie Osborne; 14. Robert Baloucoune, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. James Lowe; 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong; 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan; 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris
Replacements: 16. Rónan Kelleher, 17. Tom O’Toole, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Nick Timoney, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Tommy O’Brien
🔮 Predictions
Oval Insights foresee an England win by a margin of 4 points, giving Steve Borthwick's men a 58% chance of victory to Ireland's 37% (and a 5% chance of a draw).
Two of rugby’s fiercest rivals meet in Round 3 of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations as England host Ireland at the Allianz Stadium in London. With both sides experiencing one win and one defeat, it's all to play for. Expect fireworks, physicality, and no shortage of tactical intrigue as two proud rugby nations collide in front of a packed crowd.
Players to look out for
Henry Arundell has experienced the highs and the lows of this Championship to stark extremes: top try-scorer with four, but also a red card in the Calcutta Cup clash that has massively undermined England's title ambitions. Still, he is an outstanding winger looks set to star in this competition for years to come.
Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey, 33, is enjoying a late-Test career flourish, and currently has the second most try assists in this year's Championship (3). However, this match will boil down to efficiency in both teams' forwards, particularly the lineout, where Ireland's Dan Sheehan is currently enjoying a 100% success rate (marginally better than opposite number Luke Cowan-Dickie's 94.7%).
England v Ireland – Rivalry in Numbers
One of the oldest and most storied rivalries in international rugby, England and Ireland first met in 1875 at The Oval. Since then, they’ve contested 143 Test matches, with England winning 81, Ireland 54, and 8 ending in a draw.
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Millennium Trophy
Since 1988, the fixture has also carried the weight of the Millennium Trophy, introduced during Dublin’s millennial celebrations. The trophy, shaped like a Viking helmet, is awarded annually to the winner of this Six Nations clash. As of 2025, England have won it 21 times, Ireland 17, with Ireland currently holding the trophy after a 27–22 win in Dublin.
Recent Form
Since rugby turned professional in 1995, the rivalry has tightened considerably. In the 35 meetings since then, England have won 19, Ireland 16 - a near-even split that reflects the competitive edge of modern encounters.
Home Advantage
In England: 71 matches – England 48 wins, Ireland 19, Draws 4
In Ireland: 72 matches – Ireland 35 wins, England 33, Draws 4
Total points scored: England 1,785; Ireland 1,341
Full Six Nations 2026 fixture page
FAQs
When is England vs Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations?
Saturday 21 February.
Where will England vs Ireland be played in the 2026 Six Nations?
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London.
What time does England vs Ireland kick off?
14:10 GMT.
Is England vs Ireland part of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations?
Yes. England and Ireland are two of the founding nations of the competition.
Which round of the 2026 Six Nations is England vs Ireland?
Round three of the Championship.
How have England vs Ireland performed in recent Six Nations matches?
England were on an impressive 12-match winning streak until round two, when they came unstuck in disastrous fashion against Scotland. Ireland were dismantled in Paris in round one, but bounced back to claim a narrow win against Italy last weekend.
Who are the players to watch in England vs Ireland?
Ireland boast several British & Irish Lions in their ranks, including try-scoring hooker Dan Sheehan, while Jamie Osborne at fullback is one to watch. Italy have one of the best midfield players in the game in Tommaso Menoncello, and Louis Lynagh - son of Australian icon Michael - is a threat out wide.
Where can I watch England vs Ireland live on TV or stream?
The match will be shown on ITV in the UK, and on RTÉ in Ireland. If you're watching from outside of these countries, we have a helpful 'Where to watch' guide.
Where can I find the latest England vs Ireland team news?
We'll be updating fans with the latest team news on the Six Nations Rugby website, WhatsApp channel, and social media platforms (including Instagram).