Following narrow wins over Scotland and France respectively, Ireland and England will lock horns in what should be a pretty fiery dead-rubber.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Ireland v England
Saturday 20 March
18h45
Aviva Stadium
To Win MatchIreland 14/10
Draw 22/1
England 6/10
Handicap
Ireland (+3.5) 9/10
England (-3.5) 9/10
Ireland will be looking to avoid a fifth straight loss to England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Andy Farrell’s men will be without James Ryan and Garry Ringrose, so Tadhg Beirne and Bundee Aki have been moved into the run-on XV in their place. Left-winger Jacob Stockdale gets a first start since the Autumn Nations Cup win over the Scots in December and replaces James Lowe, who endured something of a defensive ‘mare last week.
England have named British & Irish Lion Elliot Daly to start at outside centre in the absence of injured Henry Slade in the only change to Eddie Jones’ side.
While the title is out of either team’s reach, the match will be seen by many as a Lions trial ahead of the upcoming Test series this July.
The hosts did well to see off a brave Scotland team last week, with their 24-27 win at Murrayfield signalling that Farrell’s men are perhaps not as out of sorts as many believe them to be.
In what will be CJ Stander’s final international for the Emerald Isle, the former Blue Bull will be emptying the tank one last time for his adopted nation, who currently occupy second place albeit having played one game more than France in third. Fourth-placed England are one-point behind Ireland on 10.
A loss for either side would effectively see the 2021 campaign written off as a failure, with this weekend’s Test match set to be won and lost in the trenches.
Verdict: Ireland 14/10
Despite a good performance in Le Crunch, England aren’t as sure of themselves as they have been before under Eddie. Take a straight Irish win at home. Alternatively, take the Irish on the (+3.5) cap for a bit of safety.
Written by Shaun Goosen.
