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Crowley recalled as Ireland make five changesImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Crowley regains the 10 jersey after an effective display off the bench against ItalyByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalistPublished40 minutes ago26 Comments
Jack Crowley will start at fly-half as Ireland head coach Andy Farrell makes five changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations match against England at Allianz Stadium.
Sam Prendergast started in Ireland’s opening loss to France and last week’s victory for Italy, but Farrell has brought Crowley back into the XV after the 26-year-old’s impact off the bench against the Azzurri.
Prendergast is not named in the matchday squad with Farrell opting for the versatile Ciaran Frawley on the bench.
Munster’s Crowley will partner Jamison Gibson-Park in a changed half-back pairing as Craig Casey drops to the bench.
Three-time British and Irish Lion Tadhg Furlong is recalled at tight-head prop having returned from a calf injury against Italy.
In a changed back row, captain Caelan Doris switches back to his familiar number eight role behind flankers Tadhg Beirne and Josh Van der Flier, with Jack Conan and Cormac Izuchukwu making way.
Farrell has changed to a split of five forwards and three backs on the bench, having gone with a 6-2 for the first two games.
British and Irish Lion Finlay Bealham has been recalled to provide tight-head cover, with Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney and Jack Conan rounding out the forward replacements.
Wing Tommy O’Brien, who was left out against Italy, joins Casey and Frawley as the backline options on the bench.
Ireland and England both have one win from their opening two games, with Steve Borthwick’s side targeting a return to form after last week’s dispiriting Calcutta Cup loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.
Crowley’s return to the starting line-up is not surprising given Prendergast’s struggles against Italy.
While Crowley kicked a penalty dead at the end of the game to deny Ireland a possible bonus-point try, Farrell – who last week hit out at “keyboard warriors” stoking the fly-half debate – mentioned he played “outstandingly well” after replacing Prendergast.
Crowley only started one game in last year’s Six Nations after playing every minute of Ireland’s triumphant 2024 campaign.
Saturday’s game presents another big opportunity for him after he started the autumn Test defeat by the All Blacks in Chicago, only for Prendergast to be preferred for South Africa’s visit to Dublin later in November.
While Prendergast will be disappointed to miss out altogether, Frawley can cover fly-half, centre and full-back from the bench. Frawley’s last Six Nations appearance came in the defeat by England at Allianz Stadium in 2024.
England v Ireland
2026 Six Nations
Saturday 21 February at 14:10 GMT
Allianz Stadium
The rest of Ireland’s backline is unchanged. Garry Ringrose, who ended the Italy game with strapping on his knee, again partners the in-form Stuart McCloskey in midfield.
Jamie Osborne, James Lowe and Rob Baloucoune – who scored a well-taken try on his Six Nations debut against the Azzurri – make up the back three.
In addition to Furlong, Farrell has recalled another two British and Irish Lions to his pack in Beirne and Van der Flier.
Beirne, who replaces Izuchukwu at blind-side flanker, was used off the bench against Italy while 2022 World Rugby player of the year Van der Flier was omitted.
Loose-head prop Jeremy Loughman and hooker Dan Sheehan complete the front row while James Ryan and Joe McCarthy are retained in the second row.
Lock Edwin Edogbo is not selected after the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) launched an investigation into “cowardly” racist abuse he received online following his debut against Italy.
Ireland lost 23-22 to England on their last visit to Allianz Stadium two years – a defeat which ended their back-to-back Grand Slam hopes – but won 27-22 in Dublin 12 months ago.
Ireland: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Loughman, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, McCarthy, Beirne, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Kelleher, O’Toole, Bealham, Conan, Timoney, Casey, Frawley, O’Brien.
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