Six Nations: Ireland v England match preview, tips and TV details

ITV & Virgin One (RoI), 4.45pm Saturday

Two years ago England arrived at the Aviva Stadium looking for a Grand Slam but fell to a 13-9 defeat. On Saturday they return to Dublin as underdogs looking to overthrow the reigning Six Nations champions.

So much has changed since that last visit. Defeat that day ended a 17-match unbeaten run for Eddie Jones's England, but now Ireland are the team to catch having lost just one of 12 Test matches in 2018.

England were five-point favourites two years ago, but bookmakers rate them nine-point underdogs for this rematch, and that 14-point swing underlines the differing fortunes the teams have gone through.

There's an air of invincibility about Ireland in general, especially after their success over New Zealand in November, but more particularly in this fixture. Ireland have won six of the last seven Dublin duels with their old rivals, and England haven't even managed to score a try in the last three.

So much for what's different this time, but what is unlikely to have changed is the intensity and brutality of this clash, especially in the opening round when tensions are heightened. On the last two occasions the teams have met there's been Grand Slam glory at stake for someone. This time the overriding priority is to give nothing away.

It looks sure to be hard fought on the ground, and Ireland's back-row combination have the power to boss the breakdown, and even more so in the air as Ireland's kickers look sure to target England full-back Elliot Daly.

The Wasps back had looked shaky at times in the number 15 jersey in the autumn, and many had expected the more secure Mike Brown to line up in the Six Nations following his recall to the squad.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has upped the ante by naming Robbie Henshaw at full-back - the Leinster man won his first cap at 15 but has played in the centre since.

Henshaw is a huge physical presence and it will be fascinating to see how he fares.

The bet that jumps out for this clash is to go under the points - none of the last six clashes has gone above 32 points - but a line of 38.5 doesn't leave a lot of room for manoeuvre.

England are boosted by the return of the Vunipola brothers and are sure to give as good as they get physically. But the precision of Ireland's play may again be too much for them and they may also come up short in terms of sharpness.

The heavy demands of England's domestic competition has been cited as a factor in Ireland's success in European competition. Ten of England's starting line-up also started their club's opening Premiership fixture in September - none of the Ireland 15 featured for the provinces.

In a likely low-scoring game it makes sense to focus on a narrow margin win and Ireland look a solid bet to win by no more than 12 points.

Recommendation
Ireland to win by one to 12 points
3pts 6-4 188Bet

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