England v Ireland LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as Marcus Smith denies Irish grand slam with last-gasp drop goal

Nika Amashukeli will take charge of England vs Ireland in the 2024 Six Nations.

The trailblazing Georgian returns to the tournament after making history at the World Cup in the autumn.

The 29-year-old became the first referee from Georgia to officiate at the event, and the youngest whistler since Wayne Barnes in 2007 to be appointed to a men’s World Cup panel.

Here’s everything you need to know about today’s referee:

Ireland could secure successive Six Nations crowns with a game to spare as they travel to Twickenham to take on England today. Andy Farrell’s side remain unbeaten in this year’s championship and will hope to make history as the first men’s team to secure back-to-back grand slams since the tournament’s expansion to six teams.

After taking on England, Ireland host Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Super Saturday — but the title could be sewn up before then.

The defending champions currently top the standings by six points with two rounds to play. The maximum tally that second-placed Scotland can reach with two bonus-point victories is 19.

Ireland will thus be crowned champions if they beat England and score four tries, taking five match points and their tournament tally to an unassailable 20. Ireland will also win the title if they beat England without a bonus point and Scotland fail to take the full five match points against Italy in Rome.

The question was posed this week as to whether this Ireland side is the greatest team in Six Nations history as they prepare to go to Twickenham to face England.

Ex-Wales captain Sam Warburton made the claim as Andy Farrell’s men aim to become the first side to win back-to-back grand slams since the tournament expanded.

And they are well on their way to achieving that goal, recording bonus-points wins over France, Italy and, most recently, Wales as part of a record-equalling 11-game winning run in the Six Nations.

No one has got close to Andy Farrell’s charges so far, their smallest winning margin being 21 points, and they are favoured by 12 on the handicap on rugby betting sites against England.

Here are our betting tips and predictions ahead of the clash:

Hugo Keenan returns to the Ireland side after injury in an otherwise familiar line-up. Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw continue in midfield with Garry Ringrose fit but unable to force his way in.

There are six forwards on the bench, but lock James Ryan will miss the rest of the tournament with a “freak” bicep injury suffered in training.

Ireland XV: 15 Hugo Keenan; 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe; 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Jack Conan; 22 Conor Murray, 23 Ciaran Frawley

England hand a first international start to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso after a try-scoring cameo from the bench against Scotland, with Alex Mitchell also fit to return at scrum half.

George Martin adds extra weight to the tight five as Ollie Chessum shifts to the blindside to give Steve Borthwick three lineout jumpers. Marcus Smith is fit again and makes the bench, while Harlequins teammate Danny Care is set to win his 100th cap.

England XV: 15 George Furbank; 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Tommy Freeman; 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Dan Cole; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Alex Dombrandt; 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Elliot Daly

Odds

England win 17/4

Draw 35/1

Ireland win 2/9

Prediction

A narrow Ireland win. England 20-25 Ireland

When is England vs Ireland?

England vs Ireland is due to kick off at 4.45pm GMT on Saturday 9 March at Twickenham.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 4.20pm GMT. A live stream will be available via ITVX.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Ireland continue their pursuit of another Six Nations grand slam with a trip to Twickenham to take on England.

Andy Farrell’s side have secured three wins from three in this year’s championship and will secure another crown with a bonus-point win regardless of Scotland’s result against Italy.

But England showed during the World Cup that they are capable of pushing the world’s best sides close and will hope to again give Ireland problems.

Steve Borthwick’s team were right in the game until Freddie Steward’s sending off at the Aviva Stadium 12 months ago and will be backed by a home crowd expecting a better performance than the one produced in the Calcutta Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of England v Ireland in the Six Nations.

Ireland can wrap up the title with a bonus-point victory at Twickenham while England will want to start showing progress under Steve Borthwick and bounce back from a disappointing Calcutta Cup loss to Scotland last time out.

Stick with us for all the build-up and live coverage of the match itself.