England name Curry twins in starting line-up for first time

England have sprung a surprise by uniting the Curry twins in their back row for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin.

For the first time, Tom and Ben Curry will feature together in the starting XV, filling the flanker positions either side of number eight Ben Earl. Tom Curry is given the number six jersey.

In another selection twist, Cadan Murley will make his debut on the left wing after being given the nod ahead of Ollie Sleightholme, who filled the position in England’s most recent outing against Japan in November.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has opted for a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench with Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South and Tom Willis set to provide heavyweight reinforcements in the second half.

The Curry brothers’ only previous appearance in an England matchday 23 came against New Zealand in November but with Ben replacing Tom in the second-half, they were not present on the field at the same time.

Borthwick has thrown selection curve balls throughout his 26 months in charge and the inclusion of the Sale forwards from the start is the latest example.

Both are primarily opensides, as is Earl, and while all three are able to fill multiple roles in the back row, Borthwick is effectively fielding a trio of sevens in the hope of challenging Ireland’s strength at the breakdown.

They will also offer England extra speed and dynamism around the field against the Six Nations favourites, albeit at the cost of ball-carrying heft and a standout line-out jumper at blindside flanker.

However, in Chessum, Cunningham-South and Willis they have powerful options to summon off the bench.

Willis is poised to win his second cap and first since 2023 after starring for Saracens this season, showing power in the carry and in defence, while Chessum will be making only his second appearance since suffering a knee injury in October.

Murley has been chosen ahead of Sleightholme, Tom Roebuck and Elliot Daly to provide a clinical edge out wide as reward for his rampant form for Harlequins.

The 25-year-old was the Gallagher Premiership’s top try scorer for the 2022-23 season and has already touched down eight times in 12 matches in the current campaign.

Apart from being a superb finisher who punches above his weight close to the line, he has developed a strong understanding with Quins fly-half Marcus Smith, who has held off the challenge of Fin Smith to continue as chief conductor.

Marcus Smith is joined at half-back by Alex Mitchell after the Northampton scrum-half recovered from a knee injury in time for the Aviva Stadium showdown, having sat out the autumn because of a neck issue.

Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie makes his first England start for over two years following a career-threatening battle with a nerve issue in his neck, taking over from hamstring strain victim Jamie George.

Maro Itoje captains the team for the first time as England look to open the tournament with the upset victory that will give Borthwick breathing space after a poor 2024 piled pressure on to the head coach.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing the tournament favourites,” Borthwick said.

“We know it’ll be a tough contest against a team that’s very familiar with each other. We’ll need to work tirelessly and maintain our discipline from the first whistle to the last.

“England versus Ireland in Dublin is a huge occasion, and we’ll be ready to face it head-on.”