Six Nations: England face toughest Six Nations test so far as Ireland head to Twickenham

Title hopes hang in the balance

England and Ireland’s Six Nations title hopes are on the line when the two sides clash in a massive game at Twickenham to conclude the penultimate round.

One point separates the Irish in second place from their hosts in third going into the match, and both sides are still in the hunt for a Championship victory despite losing one game each.

It’s one of the hardest matches to call of this year’s tournament, with top points scorers Ireland taking on an English side that has conceded the fewest points after three rounds.

Ireland more impressive

Andy Farrell’s side have undoubtedly impressed more so far, smashing Wales and Italy at home either side of a narrow 30-24 defeat to France in a Paris thriller.

England, meanwhile, started their campaign with defeat in Scotland but bounced back by thrashing Italy 33-0 in Rome and beating Wales 23-19 in Round 3.

With France looking unstoppable, winning all three of their games, both these teams know victory is essential if they are to cling on to the coattails of the Grand Slam chasers.  

Eddie Jones has been up to his usual tricks ahead of kick-off, calling Ireland “the most cohesive side in the world right now” in a not-so-subtle bid to apply pressure on the visitors and play up England’s underdog credentials.  

England have bounced back well after an opening-round defeat by Scotland, but Ireland will be their toughest test so far

Defining moment for England

But England stand at a crossroads. A win here could set up a winner-takes-all clash at the Stade de France on the final weekend, while defeat would leave them at risk of another embarrassing bottom half finish, after coming fifth last year.

Farrell’s Ireland, who took down the All Blacks in November, have looked a far more convincing unit than England to this point.

They go into Round 4 as the team with most tries (16), metres made (2829m), carries (425) and the fewest penalties conceded (25) in this year’s Championship.

It’s not often that England are priced as underdogs at Twickenham, but an exception has been made for this Irish side, with a home win at 2.32 and an Irish victory at 1.85.

Home advantage may well play its part, and Ireland have only won once in their last five visits to London in the Six Nations, but on paper Farrell’s side look the stronger.

Sexton back in strong side

Several changes have been made after rotating against Italy, with Johnny Sexton restored to fly-half in the week that he announced he will retire after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Andrew Porter’s injury has paved the way for Cian Healy to win his 115^th cap, but Ireland’s strength in depth is perhaps best demonstrated by the fact that four British and Irish Lions – Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw – are on the bench.

There’s also no room in the 23-man squad for the likes of Mack Hansen and Michael Lowry, who have both impressed in this year’s Championship.   

Jones has made three changes, with Sam Simmonds starting at number eight, Jamie George coming in for injured hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and Joe Marchant lining up at outside centre.

As always, much expectation will be placed on the young shoulders of Marcus Smith, who has taken to his first Championship like a duck to water and is the tournament’s leading points scorer.

It’s one of the toughest calls of the 2022 Six Nations, but the strength of this Irish side and the form they’re in means they should just edge it.  

Recommended bet 

Ireland @ 1.85