England take on Ireland, who are chasing the Six Nations Grand Slam, in Dublin on Saturday; Owen Farrell, who fell to the bench in England’s humiliating 53-10 loss to France at Twickenham, has been in line from the start; Manu Tuilagi will also return to center, alongside Henry Slade.
Owen Farrell is set to return to the England side to face Ireland
Owen Farrell is expected to return as fly half to face Grand Slam-chasing Ireland in Saturday’s Six Nations final in Dublin.
The England captain was benched for a record home loss to France last weekend but is in line to start in Dublin despite suggestions he picked up an ankle injury in training.
The stage is set for one of the great days in Irish rugby as Andy Farrell’s men are about to complete a clean championship to ignite the St Patrick’s weekend party.
While Ireland sit at the top of the world rankings and poised to conquer the World Cup this autumn, England have been picking up the pieces after France swept Twickenham in a record 53-10 defeat at home.
Just how much scarring the experience has left will be revealed in the climax of the Six Nations.
Manu Tuilagi will also return to center, alongside Henry Slade, in another New England midfield.
If Steve Borthwick deploys this midfield, it would be the same 10-12-13 combination that beat Ireland in Dublin four years ago.
Marcus Smith, who started at fly half against France, will move to the bench to adjust to the changes.
Meanwhile, Ireland have a raft of injuries to contend with as they look to complete a fourth Grand Slam in their history.
Garry Ringrose and Iain Henderson have been ruled out, while Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher and Caelan Doris are in doubt.
Robbie Henshaw is expected to replace Ringrose at center with Ryan Baird starting.
