Six Nations 2024 LIVE: England set to name side plus Ireland and Scotland team news

Ireland are on the brink of another Six Nations crown, and could even secure it at Twickenham on Saturday. What do they need? Here’s how things stand:

Sam Underhill is savouring his England revival having feared his international career might already be over.

Underhill is poised to win his 34th cap in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham after returning to favour under Steve Borthwick – a comeback he views as a personal triumph.

Still only 27, the big-hitting Bath flanker missed 20 successive Tests from the second match of the 2022 tour to Australia because of a combination of concussion and selection.

But a sliding doors moment arrived when Jack Willis sustained a neck injury in last autumn’s World Cup and Underhill was propelled straight into the back row for the bronze final against Argentina.

A defensive masterclass consisting of 24 tackles resulted in the man of the match award and now that he has played four consecutive Tests, he grants himself a moment of recognition.

The 28-year-old Glasgow back has been given the nod to wear the number nine jersey for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. Regular starter Ben White is rested and drops out of the squad altogether, with Ali Price – who has played no part in the tournament – promoted to the bench.

Saracens flanker Andy Christie is handed his first international start in place of Jamie Ritchie, who is among the substitutes.

England will confirm their team to face Ireland at 2pm GMT this afternoon, with Steve Borthwick set to speak to the media at 2.30pm. The Independent understands that young wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is set to be included on the wing for a first start at international level, with Elliot Daly dropping out and George Martin due to bolster the starting pack after making his return from injury off the bench against Scotland.

Fin Smith was the solitary member of Steve Borthwick’s squad to miss training on Tuesday as he recovers from a calf injury and with only Thursday’s main session left before the Twickenham showdown, time is running out to prove his fitness.

The 21-year-old fly-half has won his first two caps in his breakthrough season for England, coming on as a replacement for George Ford against Italy and Scotland, but could now slip out of the 23.

“We have tried to look after him the last couple of days and we are hoping he will be in full training on Thursday. We are looking after him,” skills and kicking coach Kevin Sinfield said.

If Fin Smith is unable to convince Borthwick on Thursday that he is capable of facing Grand Slam-chasing Ireland, Marcus Smith is available to take his place on the bench.

A grand slam is the ultimate goal for Ireland, though, as they look to become the first men’s team to complete back-to-back Six Nations clean sweeps. It would be a remarkable achievement for Andy Farrell, a man who arrived in Ireland in 2016 with his reputation in need of rebuilding. Rory Best was Ireland captain when Farrell first arrived on Joe Schmidt’s staff, and we caught up with the former Ireland hooker to find out how Farrell built one of the great sides in championship history.

A few words from Scotland coach Gregor Townsend about the selection calls he’s made – and those three changes in particular.

On Cameron Redpath in for the injured Sione Tuipulotu: “It’s disappointing news that Sione is injured. He is a key part of our team, both in terms of how he plays and how he leads. Cam is in really good form in training and also when he’s had the opportunities this year. He has a conenction with Finn [Russell] from club level which should mean the cohesion is still there, even though we’ve made that change.”

On George Horne starting at scrum half over Ben White: “We made that decision for two reasons really. Firstly, to reward George and Ali [Price, named on the bench] who have been in very good form for us and with their clubs as well. Also it was to give Ben a rest – he’s played a lot of rugby since September/October and a lot of rugby through this period as well, so we feel he needs a recharge this week. I’m looking forward to George having a start and Ali bringing his experience on at some point.”

On Andy Christie starting in the back row: “Andy Christie played a lot of rugby before the Six Nations, he was consistent with Saracens and knocking hard on the door for selection for us. He’s come off the bench in the last two games and really made a difference. He’s added energy, did well in defence and as part of our attack, so he’s earned the right to start.”

Let’s delve a little more into that Scotland team just announced by Gregor Townsend. There are three changes to the side that impressively beat England last time out as Andy Christie, Cam Redpath and George Horne all come into the line-up.

Christie is preferred to Jamie Ritchie in the back row, where he’ll line up for his first Scotland start alongside co-captain Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey, while Redpath comes in for the injured Sione Tuipulotu to form a midfield partnership with Huw Jones and Horne starts at scrum half, as Ben White drops out of the 23 entirely with veteran Ali Price the chosen No 9 replacement.

Scotland XV: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell (co-captain), 9. George Horne; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Grant Gilchrist, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Andy Christie, 7. Rory Darge (co-captain), 8. Jack Dempsey

Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Elliot Millar-Mills, 19. Sam Skinner, 20. Jamie Ritchie, 21. Matt Fagerson, 22. Ali Price, 23. Kyle Rowe

Scotland are the first team this morning to name their side for the weekend. They face Italy in Rome on Saturday afternoon

Leinster centre Ringrose is yet to feature in this year’s championship because of a shoulder injury.

Full back Keenan and lock Henderson missed the round-three win over Wales due to a knee issue and a dislocated toe respectively.

Munster prop Jager made his Test debut as a replacement in that 31-7 success on February 24 before sustaining a knee problem.

Grand Slam-chasing Ireland, who play at Twickenham on Saturday before completing their campaign at home to Scotland seven days later, reported a clean bill of health ahead of holding a more physical training session on Wednesday.