England vs Ireland: Sam Prendergast dropped for Six Nations showdown by Andy Farrell
Five changes have been made to the Ireland squad for this weekend's Six Nations clash against England, with Sam Prendergast completely dropped from the matchday squad at Twickenham; Jack Crowley takes his place at 10 as four British & Irish Lions also return to the team
Thursday 19 February 2026 11:47, UK
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has dropped Sam Prendergast for this weekend's Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham.
Jack Crowley starts at 10 for Ireland with Ciaran Frawley providing cover on the bench as Prendergast, who had started Ireland's last four games and featured in all five Six Nations clashes last year, has been left out of the matchday squad altogether.
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Caelan Doris will lead the side as Ireland bid to build on last Saturday's win over Italy at the Aviva Stadium, with Farrell making five changes overall. British & Irish Lions quartet Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park all returning to the starting XV.
Jamie Osborne, Robert Baloucoune and James Lowe are named in an unchanged back three, with Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose continuing in midfield. Crowley comes in at to partner Gibson-Park in the half-backs.
In the pack, Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan and Furlong are selected in the front row, with Beirne, Van der Flier and skipper Doris in the back row. Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are retained in the engine room.
An experienced bench features Ronan Kelleher, Tom O'Toole, Finlay Bealham, Nick Timoney and Jack Conan making up the forward replacements, with backs Craig Casey, Frawley and Tommy O'Brien completing the 23-man squad.
Ireland team to face England
Starting XV: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (c).
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Tom O'Toole, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Nick Timoney, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Tommy O'Brien.
