Both Ireland and England have selected strong XVs for the clash in Dublin on Saturday 19 August and look to be using the contest as a serious hit out ahead of the World Cup.
There is a caveat though, with the teams missing their captains and main playmakers. Ireland skipper and fly-half Johnny Sexton is suspended, while his English counterpart Owen Farrell is absent after a disruptive week which saw him avoid a ban despite being red carded last Saturday against Wales.
Ross Byrne and George Ford have been given their chance to show they can step in for their skippers and their duel is one of the main talking points heading into what could be a thrilling evening.
Ireland beat Steve Borthwick’s side 29-16 in March to seal the Grand Slam and while they should get the result, it could be a tighter affair.
England +16 @ 5/6
Ireland beat the Red Rose to seal the Slam in the spring and were perhaps affected by nerves, with England arguably the better side before Freddie Steward was controversially sent off just before half-time.
There’s no doubt they deserved to win the Six Nations but they have been in this situation before, only to falter at the World Cup.
Several of Andy Farrell’s current crop have also recently experienced disappointment with Leinster but can settle any nerves with a convincing victory on Saturday.
Borthwick has selected arguably his strongest available 23 for the game at the Aviva and while far from where they would want to be, England showed signs of improvement in last weekend’s 20-17 triumph over Wales and have the gameplan to upset Ireland.
Bearing in mind they only lost by 13 points in March, despite having a man sent off before the break, they should be able to come in under their +16 handicap, having also done so in 2021.
Dan Sheehan and Rob Herring to both score anytime @ 3.77/1
There could also be more joy for Ireland’s hookers, with Dan Sheehan and Rob Herring in the 23 after both scoring in March’s Grand Slam decider.
Sheehan is arguably the best hooker in the world and went over twice against the Red Rose in the spring before Herring came off the bench to grab his own score.
Both players are dynamic in the tight, while Sheehan is also excellent in the loose and after he has tested the England forwards, Herring could take advantage.
There is every chance that both will touch down again in Dublin.
