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Six Nations | Group Stage
Mar 1, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Ireland
19-9
England
Henshaw (53')
FT

Preview: Ireland vs. England

Sports Mole previews the Six Nations clash between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium.

The only two remaining unbeaten sides go head to head in the Six Nations this weekend as England travel to the Aviva Stadium to face current champions Ireland.

Stuart Lancaster has made two changes to his side following their emphatic win over Italy earlier this month, which left the team at the top of the table.

Mike Brown has not recovered from a concussion, so Saracens' Alex Goode comes in at full-back, while Jack Nowell is preferred to Jonny May at wing.

The coach confirmed that Nowell's consistency with his club has earned his place in the side, while May has made a number of errors in the first two matches of this year's tournament.

There is a further addition on the bench as Kieran Brookes is sidelined with a hip injury, resulting in Henry Thomas being named among the replacements.

Manu Tuilagi is still out with a groin injury, but he and Chris Pennell will both be in Dublin to watch the side, despite not being in the matchday squad.

England's only other away match in this year's tournament resulted in a win, with the current leaders coming from behind at half time to beat Wales in the opening fixture of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Ireland have made just one change as they look for their third win of the campaign, knowing that victory would move them above England in the standings.

Jamie Heaslip will miss the rest of the tournament as a result of a clash with Pascal Pape in the team's win over France two weeks ago, so Jordi Murphy comes in at number eight.

The Spanish-born Leinster man has already featured, filling in for Heaslip in their 26-3 win over Italy in their first fixture of the competition.

Cian Healy is fit again, but Joe Schmidt is sticking with Jack McGrath at loosehead following his performances in the opening two fixtures, while Tommy O'Donnell is back on the bench after recovering from concussion.

Last season, Ireland suffered their only defeat of the campaign against England, losing a closely-fought game 13-10 at Twickenham

Ireland:

Recent form: WWWWWW

Starting lineup: Kearney, Bowe, Payne, Henshaw, McGrath, Best, Ross, Toner, O'Conner, O'Mahony, O'Brien, Murphy

England:

Recent form: LLWWWW

Starting lineup: Goode, Watson, Joseph, Burrell, Nowell, Ford, Youngs, Marler, Hartley, Cole, Attwodd, Kruis, Haskell, Robshaw, Vunipola

Sports Mole says: 21-18


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Jordi Murphy of Ireland during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium on February 14, 2015
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