England v Ireland predictions & rugby union tips: Visitors a cut above

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for England v Ireland in the Six Nations.

Where to watch

ITV1 & RTE2, 4.45pm Saturday

Best bet

Ireland
3pts 5-6 general

Ireland to win by more than 12 points
1pt 7-2Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

For the first time in ten years, England run out as underdogs for a Six Nations match at Twickenham - and with good reason.

Eddie Jones's men are still in the title hunt having won two of their three games, but they have been far from convincing, especially in attack, and have yet to face the top two teams in the ante-post betting, Ireland and France.

A hugely experienced Ireland team are first up at Twickenham on Saturday, and they look ready not only to win but to win big.

Ireland have an identical record to England in the table and are just an extra bonus point ahead, but other stats stack up heavily in Ireland's favour.

Their tally of 110 points and 16 tries is the highest in the tournament, while they have shipped just three tries.

By contrast, England have scored seven tries - five of which came against Italy - and they were outscored by three tries to one in their victory over Wales in round three. Their one try came from a Welsh mistake - an overthrown line-out - and for all their forward dominance that got them on the front foot with first-half penalties, there was no cutting edge.

Compare that with Ireland. They gave a hint of their attacking threat against Wales in their opening win, when their ruck speed and constantly varying offence caught the eye even if they couldn't sustain the performance over 80 minutes.

Defeat to a very good France side when they were without injured playmaker Jonny Sexton put a brake on their title aspirations, and a big win over 13-man Italy doesn't tell much of a story.

But it's clear the ingredients are there, and after last year's 32-18 win over England in Dublin, Ireland look to be carrying all before them.

England are no doubt primed to put in a positive performance after that 2021 defeat and their stuttering showings so far.

But Ireland have won at Twickenham before - most recently in 2018 by a 24-15 scoreline - and their attacking strength is far greater now.

Sexton is back to marshal the attack, while coach Andy Farrell feels confident enough to drop round three's two-try debutant Michael Lowry and winger Mack Hansen. Ireland have landed their opening try in the third, seventh and fourth minutes of their three matches to date, and if they can strike an early blow again they can have England on the back foot from the off.

In a nutshell, England are struggling to post scores while Ireland look a huge threat, and this could be a record-breaking day.

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