England v Ireland LIVE: Nations League result as Taylor Harwood-Bellis scores on debut in thrashing

England have made three changes from the side that beat Greece on Thursday night, with the main one being the return of Harry Kane – he replaces Ollie Watkins.

In defence, Ezri Konsa and Rico Lewis drop out in favour of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.

England XI: Pickford; Livramento, Walker, Guehi, Hall; Jones, Gallagher; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon, Kane.

Subs: Henderson, Lewis, Gibbs-White, Gomes, Quansah, Harwood-Bellis, Watkins, Rogers, Bowen, Solanke, Trafford.

Ireland XI: Kelleher; O’Shea, McGuinness, Collins, Scales, O’Dowda; Ebosele, Cullen, Molumby; Szmodics, Ferguson.

Subs: Travers, O’Leary, Doherty, Manning, O’Brien, Moran, Coventry, Azaz, McAteer, Johnston, Parrott, Cannon.

Once again, Harry Kane is the first name on the England football teamteamsheet. Lee Carsley was still in Athens when he confirmed the captain would start on Sunday. For eight years, Gareth Southgate rarely needed to offer that information three days early, to try and deflect charges Kane had fallen out of favour. If he was fit, he played.

Now? Kane was fit and began on the bench against Greece. Others were fit, the striker had implied, and did not turn up. Kane appeared to be the last man standing up for the values of the Southgate era, when players enjoyed turning up for international duty. Carsley refused to criticise the no-shows, was happy to finish with a glorified Under-21 side and beat Greece 3-0. Kane had a bit-part role.

He had been outspoken before the game, Carsley more cautious. The interim manager showed a bolder streak in his choices. Yet his post-match rhetoric invited a question: when is a dropping not a dropping?

In the tale of the captain and the caretaker, Lee Carsley’s great gamble paid off. England managers can be defined by a decision involving a talismanic striker. Graham Taylor ended Gary Lineker’s international career to bring on Alan Smith. Alf Ramsey preferred Geoff Hurst to Jimmy Greaves for a World Cup final. One got it wrong, the other very right.

Carsley’s reign will be briefer, the stakes lower. But if it risked being remembered for one selection, it was justified. Harry Kane, the skipper who criticised the teammates who did not seem to want to play for England, was himself denied a start.

Ollie Watkins began instead, scored with his first touch and set England on course to a redemptive win. Wretched at Wembley last month, when they lost to Greece, they exacted revenge in ultimately impressive fashion. The worst game of Carsley’s tenure came against Greece. So, now, did the best.

The four third-placed teams from League A make up Pot 1 as seeded sides, while the four runners-up from League B, including either England or Greece from Group B2, enter in Pot 2.

Pot 2 teams are drawn first, then the seeded Pot 1 teams are drawn to complete the play-off ties, with the second legs played at the homes of Pot 1 sides.

Nations currently in the relegation play-off place in League A groups are Poland, Belgium, Hungary and Serbia, though much could change on the final gameweek.

The play-offs are scheduled to take place between 20 and 23 March 2025.

England will secure promotion with a win over Republic of Ireland. If the Three Lions draw, they will still go up if Greece do not win, while they will also go up regardless if Greece lose.

Greece will be promoted with a win over Finland and England failing to win, or if the 2004 European champions draw and England lose.

If England do not secure top spot, England will be forced to tackle the League A/B play-offs to secure promotion. That task will place them up against a third-placed side from League A.

England face the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to conclude their Nations League group stage.

The Three Lions’ rivals for top spot are Greece, who travel to Finland, the bottom side of Group B2 and without a win so far.

Lee Carsley will conclude his interim spell in charge before Thomas Tuchel takes over next year and begins the road to the 2026 World Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know about England’s hopes of securing promotion to League A:

England looked very solid and aggressive against Greece with Jordan Pickford having a superb outing between the sticks. Lee Carsley’s young squad excelled at the top end of the pitch and will want to finish off this international break in style.

England 4-0 Republic of Ireland.

England XI: Henderson; Lewis, Walker, Guehi, Hall; Gallagher, Jones; Bowen, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Ireland XI: Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, Scales, O’Dowda; Edosele, Cullen, McAteer, Johnston; Parrott, Ferguson

Lee Carsley confirmed that Harry Kane will start against the Republic of Ireland having been a second-half substitute against Greece during the week. Ezri Konsa went off with a hip injury during that match so Jarell Quansah or Taylor Harwood-Bellis may be in line for a debut.

Expect Carsley to make changes to the line-up with Jarrod Bowen, Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White among those who could be awarded a starting berth.

Ireland’s Jason Knight collected a second yellow card of the group against Finland on Thursday meaning his is suspended for this match and Festy Ebosele had a knock and is a doubt for the game.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson may decide to switch things up and could bring Jayson Molumby into midfield to partner Josh Cullen while Troy Parrott would offer fresh legs at the top of the pitch.