The 2025 Six Nations Championship kicks off with a thrilling encounter between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, 1st February. As both teams prepare for battle, the stakes are high, with Ireland seeking to continue their dominance and England looking to turn their recent struggles around.

Recent Form and Team Performances

Ireland

• Six Nations Champions in 2023 and 2024, proving their dominance in recent years.
• Enter the tournament as strong favourites, backed by home advantage.
• Recent record: Won 8 of their last 10 international matches.
• Last Six Nations meeting: Lost 22-23 to England at Twickenham (March 2024).

England

• Struggling for form, having lost 6 of their last 8 matches.
• Looking to bounce back under head coach Steve Borthwick.
• Recent record against Ireland: Won 3 of their last 5 encounters.
• Seeking to claim their first Six Nations victory in Dublin since 2019.

Head-to-Head History

• Total Matches Played: 142
• England Wins: 81
• Ireland Wins: 53
• Draws: 8
• England edged their last Six Nations encounter with a one-point victory (23-22) at Twickenham in March 2024.

Key Players to Watch

Ireland

• Johnny Sexton (Fly-Half): Veteran playmaker looking to guide Ireland to another title.
• Josh van der Flier (Flanker): Reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, known for his work rate and defensive prowess.
• Hugo Keenan (Fullback): A dynamic runner and key player in Ireland’s attacking game.

England

• Maro Itoje (Captain, Lock): Leading the squad with experience and physicality.
• Tom & Ben Curry (Back Row): The twin brothers make history as the first siblings to start together in a Six Nations match for England.
• Cadan Murley (Winger): Set to make his England debut, adding fresh energy to the attack.

What’s at Stake?

• For Ireland: A win would establish them as early favourites to retain their Six Nations title.
• For England: An opportunity to silence the critics and regain confidence after a tough year.

Match Prediction – Who Will Win?

• Ireland’s Strengths:
  • Home advantage at the Aviva Stadium.
  • Strong, settled squad with a winning mentality.
  • Best defensive record in the 2024 Six Nations.
• England’s Hopes:
  • Unpredictability—new faces in the squad could bring surprises.
  • A physical forward pack capable of disrupting Ireland’s game plan.

Final Verdict: Ireland Enter as Favourites – But Anything Can Happen

With Ireland’s recent dominance and England’s struggles, the hosts are expected to edge this contest. However, England have proven before that they can upset the odds. Will Ireland continue their reign, or can England spoil the party?

We’ll soon find out.