{"id":299564,"date":"2026-02-15T16:12:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T16:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/299564\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T16:12:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T16:12:14","slug":"the-back-to-basics-ireland-23-we-want-to-see-play-england-in-twickenham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/299564\/","title":{"rendered":"The Back To Basics Ireland 23 We Want To See Play England In Twickenham"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ireland pipped their way past Italy on Saturday in Dublin 20-13 to get their Six Nations campaign back on track<\/a>. It was the tightest home game between the sides since 2008 as the Azzurri came out fighting, but a Robert Baloucoune try in the 56th minute helped Andy Farrell\u2019s side home, in dramatic circumstances.<\/p>\n

The scrappy win piles more pressure on the 2024 champions, who face a steep uphill task against England in a week\u2019s time. With that in mind, here\u2019s how we see Ireland shaping up for yet another do-or-die clash.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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14 February 2026; Tadhg Furlong, left, and Thomas Clarkson of Ireland after the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n

Front Row: Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong<\/p>\n

After Italy\u2019s set-piece dominance on Saturday, a change in the front row will be needed. Tadhg Furlong should help to alleviate any concerns on the tighthead side, with a question to be asked whether Ronan Kelleher should replace Dan Sheehan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jeremy Loughman\u2019s value to the squad has increased in recent weeks with his ability at scrum time, and is the right man to go up against Joe Heyes in round three.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lock: Joe McCarthy, James Ryan<\/p>\n

An unchanged lock pairing next as the Leinster duo are restored. A case could be made for Edwin Edogbo\u2019s heft to help him get the nod; but England\u2019s lineout game is no joke. Go with McCarthy and Ryan, with the Cobh kid to make hay in the final quarter, and Ireland will have power across the full 80.<\/p>\n

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14 February 2026; Ireland players, from left, Nick Timoney, Tadhg Beirne and R\u00f3nan Kelleher after the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n

Back-Row: Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris (capt), Jack Conan<\/p>\n

Big calls will need to be made in the back-row for Ireland, as they look to marry styles and systems. Both Cian Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu have impressed in opening rounds, but it is very likely that the coaching ticket revert to type with Munster\u2019s Tadhg Beirne on the blindside flank.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Caelan Doris was an improved force from the flank, and coupled with Jack Conan, could thrive against England. Ireland will need to find a balance between power, set-piece and athleticism, and this has just that.<\/p>\n

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14 February 2026; Sam Prendergast of Ireland kicks for touch during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n

Half-Back: Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast<\/p>\n

A reversion to the Paris starting duo feels lined up, even if it\u2019s a major risk. Prendergast\u2019s kicking game is brilliant; but when you comb through the weeds, his attack and defence is a level below where Ireland need it to be.<\/p>\n

That said, it is very possible Andy Farrell falls in love with Jack Crowley\u2019s bench impact plus the provincial cohesion pairing; and goes with another Leinster pair in a key role.<\/p>\n

Centre: Stuart McCloskey, Garry Ringrose<\/p>\n

\n Recommended\n <\/p>\n

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Every week Stuart McCloskey plays in green, the better he gets. Another stellar showing from the \u2018Bangor Bulldozer\u2019 saw him set up two of Ireland\u2019s tries, one in each half, as he becomes Ireland\u2019s machete in a blunt attack.<\/p>\n

It seems like the easiest decision of the 23 shirts to put McCloskey and Ringrose together again in London.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Finally, Ireland seize the momentum.pic.twitter.com\/yh36VBvbIs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Back-Three: James Lowe, Jamie Osborne, Robert Baloucoune.<\/p>\n

Two of Ireland\u2019s best performers in round two came in the last line of defence. Jame Osborne and Robert Baloucoune both added to their try scoring repertoire, and will go again. The Ulster winger was in particularly fine form in defence and in the kicking game, as Ireland were crying out for.<\/p>\n

The #11 shirt is less straight forward. Neither Jacob Stockdale nor James Lowe set the world on fire in green, but showed enough glimpses to make it a competition. When under pressure, Farrell often backs the old reliable, so advantage Lowe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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14 February 2026; Edwin Edogbo of Ireland, 19, comes onto the pitch as a replacement for teammate James Ryan, not pictured, during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n

Replacements:<\/p>\n

Ronan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Tom Clarkson, Edwin Edogbo, Cormac Izuchukwu, Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 6\/2 bench is here to stay it seems, with a Munster duo set to be the two. Michael Milne should see a recall against a stiff England scrum, and the prospect of the Offaly man with Kelleher, Edogbo, Izuchukwu and one of van der Flier or Timoney is a proper bench boost.<\/p>\n

That final call will be tight given the Ulster man\u2019s form; but again, advantage to the mainstay.<\/p>\n

It will be a tricky task for Ireland as always, but still manageable. Performance levels need to surpass anything we have seen over the past 12 months; but with an impactful matchday squad like the one above; Ireland can keep their slim tournament chances alive with a win.\u00a0<\/p>\n

SEE ALSO: Brian O’Driscoll Calls A Spade A Spade In Analysing Ireland’s Narrow Win Over Italy<\/a>
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