Maro Itoje says England are "ready to go" as they bid to upset the odds by launching their Six Nations campaign with a defeat of twice defending champions Ireland in Dublin. But they were also the only side to beat Ireland in last year's Six Nations and Itoje believes a new-look England can repeat that Twickenham triumph at Lansdowne Road.

One Ireland ace has been hailed as "world-class" and "head and shoulders" above his rivals ahead of the 2025 Six Nations.

Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast to start his first Six Nations game in their opener against England, while lock Joe McCarthy, who has started the 11 previous tests, joins prop Tadhg Furlong on a short