Crowley to start against England as Prendergast omitted from squad

Jack Crowley will start for Ireland in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations game against England with Sam Prendergast left out of the matchday 23.

The Munster out-half is one of five changes to the side that beat Italy 20-13 last weekend. Prendergast had started the last four Ireland games at 10 but has been omitted from the trip to Twickenham (2.10pm) off the back of a poor performance against the Azzurri.

Jamison Gibson-Park takes the nine jersey off Craig Casey at scrum-half.

Tadhg Furlong starts at tighthead prop and Tadhg Beirne at blindside wing forward having both begun the Italy game on the bench, while Josh van der Flier returns to the squad at 7 having missed out last weekend.

Jamie Osborne, Robert Baloucoune and James Lowe are named in an unchanged back three, with Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose continuing in midfield.

Caelan Doris will lead the team with the captain moving from openside to his regular spot at 8.

In the pack, Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan and Furlong are selected in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan retained in the second row.

Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Finlay Bealham, Nick Timoney and Jack Conan make up the forward replacements, with backs Casey, Ciarán Frawley and Tommy O’Brien completing the panel.

Farrell said: “Games between the two sides have been nip and tuck over recent times and there’s great familiarity and respect across both camps.

“We know their strengths and our aim is to deliver the best version of ourselves to put us in a position to get the performance that we want.

“Backed by thousands of travelling Irish supporters who travel from all over the world whenever we play in Twickenham, it will be another special occasion and a challenge we’re excited to face.”

Earlier this week, England head coach Steve Borthwick named a team containing three changes to the side that lost to Scotland, including a first start for number 8 Henry Pollcock.

Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Finlay Bealham, Nick Timoney, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, Tommy O’Brien.

England: Freddie Steward; Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Arundell; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Heyes; Maro Itoje (capt), Ollie Chessum; Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Henry Pollock.

Replacements: Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Alex Coles, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith.