England vs Ireland LIVE: Six Nations updates on St Patrick’s Day, score and highlights

England have lost two on the bounce heading into this fixture and must stave off a confident Irish to prevent them winning the Grand Slam.

England were overturned by today’s opponents 12 months ago when they themselves were closing in on a clean sweep.

Head coach Eddie Jones has rung the changes for today, with seven switches from the defeat at France last week.

But in reality this is all about Ireland, and whether or not they can grab a first Grand Slam since 2009.

Follow England vs Ireland LIVE on St Patrick’s Day right here…

ENGLAND 0-14 IRELAND LIVE

Match updates from Twickenham

24: TRY IRELAND! Well that’s better than a penalty. 

Ireland come back from a lineout in their next possession and Ringrose offloads to Stander, who muscles his way to the line. He’s dragged and almost collides with the post. The Irish celebrate and the referee goes to the TMO again. It’s eventually given!

22: PENALTY IRELAND! George Kruis knocks it on and Ireland get it back 30 metres out. Moments later they earn a penalty dead centre. Jonny Sexton only has eyes for the posts… he nails it into the wind but it hits the post! England collect.

20: Both Hartley and Best having long, long chats with the referee. England were stung by the ref last time out and don’t want that happening again.

Both being told to stay on the feet.

18: England just cannot get anything together here, and the Irish can sense blood. Ian Henderson, the only change for the XV today, is throwing his weight around with Tadhg Furlong.

James Ryan is down receiving treatment after an Irish push ends up in touch. England were lucky there.

15: England have made ground a couple of times without it coming to anything.

Ireland’s forwards seem to be having the better of the early exchanges.

There are no runners willing to give it a go. They’re staying central and it’s not the most entertaining of tactics.

6: TRY? Watson fails to collect a high kick under pressure and the ball bobbles over the line. Ringrose dives on it and it looks good…

We go to TMO and… TRY! Sexton kicks through for 7-0. 

3: We’re underway here and already a mistake from Ireland has given their hosts territory 15 metres from the line.

KICK OFF: Ireland kick off and England reply with box kick from Ricard Wrigglesworth. How many of those will we see today?

Ireland Grand Slam nerves

This may be a dead-rubber for England but it’s a big, big day for Ireland.

Remember, they are on the verge of only a third Grand Slam in their history.

The first, back in 1948, few of us were even alive for, yet alone remember.

But the 2009 triumph is now the target the emulate.

That victory nine years ago lifted a hoodoo from the Irish but they’re taking this clash with just as much importance.

Are they nervous? Joe Schmidt will say no but the looks around the press room before kick off suggests otherwise.

England vs Ireland team news

The squads are in without changes from the midweek announcements.

England make seven changes from the side that lost to France. The big one is George Ford being dropped, Owen Farrell moving to fly-half and Ben Te’o coming in at 12.

Forwards Danny Care, lock Joe Launchbury and prop Dan Cole are all out, with Richard Wigglesworth, George Kruis and Kyle Sinckler replacing them.

Captain and hooker Dylan Hartley returns to the XV.

Courtney Lawes is injured, with James Haskell coming in a pushing Chris Robshaw to blind-side flanker.

Sam Simmonds, who endured a miserable day against Wales last time out at Twickenham, is in for the injured Nathan Hughes.

As for Ireland, forward Iain Henderson is back in the XV as they target a Grand Slam.

He is the only change to the squad that beat Scotland last time out, with lock Devin Toner.

Snow and travel worries

The snow has so far held off at Twickenham but there is an 80 per cent chance of the white stuff during the match.

It’s cold out there and with the wind chill it will feel like -7c for those in the stands.

So, if you’re travelling to the game wrap up warm! I know it’s St Patrick’s Day but this is not a good day to test your beer jacket.

Eddie Jones

This is perhaps Eddie Jones’ most testing game as England head coach.

The game takes place just days after a talk held by Jones last summer, in which he called the Irish “scummy”, surfaced.

Jones has apologised for the comments and Ireland insist it has added no extra incentive on their mission to win the Grand Slam.

But in reality it has overshadowed the game and Jones, who got plenty of flack from Scotland fans last time out, could be in for a tough afternoon.

St Patrick’s Day celebrations

Fans are streaming into Twickenham and the St Patrick’s Day festivities are already in full swing.

England vs Ireland head to head

This is the 133rd clash between England and Ireland, according to Irish Rugby.

England boast a W76 D8 L48 record over their rivals from across the sea.

But recent results have told a different story.

Ireland have won two of their last four meetings with the English, including the 13-9 triumph last year that ended Eddie Jones’ hopes of a Grand Slam.

Another win here and it’s an Irish Grand Slam for the first time since 2009.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of England vs Ireland.

It’s St Patrick’s Day at Twickenham and the Irish will be gunning for an extra special victory here.

They’re on a high and England are on the ropes. Can the Red Rose claim a last reprieve from this disappointing Six Nations?