Simmonds, George and Marchant set to start for England against Ireland

Sam Simmonds set to replace Covid-hit Alex Dombrandt and join Jamie George and Joe Marchant in England’s starting XV against Ireland, while Tom Curry is cleared to play in Six Nations clash after suffering head injury

  • Sam Simmonds is in line to start at No 8 for England against Ireland
  • Jamie George set to return to the front row in place of Luke Cowan-Dickie
  • Return of Joe Marchant is the only likely change in the back line on Saturday

Sam Simmonds is in line to start at No 8 for England on Saturday, with Jamie George and Joe Marchant also set for places in the XV to take on Ireland at Twickenham.

Two of the selection changes to be made by head coach Eddie Jones are enforced ones, as Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury sustained against Wales, while Alex Dombrandt has been isolating after testing positive for Covid. His place will be taken by Simmonds, with George returning to the middle of the front row.

In the back line, the return of Marchant is the only likely change, with the Harlequins centre taking over from Elliot Daly in the wider midfield channel.

Sam Simmonds (above) is in line to start at No 8 for England against Ireland at Twickenham

ENGLAND (probable): F Steward; M Malins, J Marchant, H Slade, J Nowell; M Smith, H Randall; E Genge, J George, K Sinckler; C Ewels, M Itoje; C Lawes (capt), S Simmonds, T Curry. 

Marchant will resume the partnership with Henry Slade which was so effective in the autumn victory over South Africa.

Jones is expected to retain rookie Bristol scrum-half Harry Randall ahead of Leicester veteran Ben Youngs to continue his emerging alliance with fly-half Marcus Smith. England fans will hope that the pair can ignite a high-tempo attacking game only evident in short bursts in the laboured victory over Wales.

Tom Curry missed the second half of that game after failing a head injury assessment and the Sale flanker had to come through his return-to-play protocols to be cleared to play on Saturday.

Jamie George (centre) set to return to the front row after Luke Cowan-Dickie was ruled out

Having done so and resumed full training, he is set to retain his place at openside with Sam Underhill, who had been called in as cover, released back to Bath last night.

England have three tighthead props among the 26 players who will remain in camp, with Joe Heyes of Leicester on standby if needed.

Kyle Sinckler is first choice in that pivotal position but Will Stuart has trained with the starting pack which may simply suggest that Sinckler’s workload is being managed or possibly that he is carrying a slight knock.

In the England back line, the return of Joe Marchant is the only likely change on Saturday

Meanwhile, Ireland confirmed yesterday that their captain Johnny Sexton, 36, has signed a new contract to prolong his Test career until after the next World Cup in the autumn of 2023.

Reacting to the announcement, England prop Joe Marler said: ‘In my experience, from the Lions tour in 2017, the standards he demands are astronomical and you can see why they wanted him to sign for longer.

‘I don’t know what that says about how hard they are trying to push another 10 through though, if the guy is going to be 38 at the World Cup.’ 




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