England Vs Ireland: Jack Conan Ruled Out as Itoje Wins 100th Cap at Twickenham

England Vs Ireland is under way at Twickenham after a 2. 10pm kickoff (GMT), the fixture notable this afternoon for a late change to Ireland’s bench and milestone selection for England’s captain. The bench alteration — the removal of Jack Conan with Cian Prendergast promoted in his place — arrives alongside first starts and returns that have reshaped both packs and backlines.

Development details — England Vs Ireland late change

Jack Conan has been ruled out of the match because of illness, and Cian Prendergast has been added to Ireland’s bench in his place. The change was confirmed ahead of the 2. 10pm kickoff (GMT) at Twickenham, where Andrea Piardi is officiating with Matteo Liperini operating as the television match official.

On the England side, Maro Itoje captains the side on the occasion of his 100th appearance; he is 31 years of age. Henry Pollock makes his first international start in the back row for England, joined by Tom Curry, while Tommy Freeman returns to a wing berth and Ollie Lawrence slots back into the centres. England’s bench lists Jack van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith as the backs options and is structured with a 6: 2 forwards-to-backs split.

For Ireland, Jack Crowley returns to the starting 10 shirt and will partner Jamison Gibson‑Park. Rob Baloucoune and James Lowe occupy the wing positions, while Josh van der Flier starts at openside. Ireland’s matchday setup includes a five forwards to three backs bench balance with Ciaran Frawley named as out-half cover.

Context and pressure points

Selection moves before kickoff have been significant for both teams. England’s management elected to hand a first start to Henry Pollock and to restore Tommy Freeman to the wing, adjustments that change England’s midfield and back-row dynamics as they seek front-foot ball at Twickenham. Maro Itoje’s century of caps provides a leadership anchor in an otherwise altered matchday group.

For Ireland, the late loss of Jack Conan reshuffles bench depth and cover at No 8. The bench composition and the promotion of Cian Prendergast reflect a direct response to that illness-enforced absence. Sam Prendergast, who had been a regular presence in matchday squads since his debut, is omitted from this fixture’s matchday selection for the first time since his introduction to the international setup the previous November.

What makes this notable is the confluence of a milestone individual selection and a late forced change for the visitors: one side has a settled leadership presence at a landmark moment while the other must absorb an unexpected personnel loss on the eve of contact rugby.

Immediate impact

The immediate effect is practical and tactical. Ireland’s replacement of Conan with Cian Prendergast alters bench options and the specifics of how forwards’ minutes can be managed, while the starting XV retains experienced ball managers in the halfbacks. England’s adjustments, including Pollock’s first start, shift carrying and defensive assignments in the back row and midfield.

Play opened with a clearing kick from Ireland returned by England, a set of carries into the Irish 22 and a floated cross-kick that was claimed but quickly halted. A subsequent knock-on in midfield handed a scrum to Ireland, offering an early test for an Irish front row described as having shown creakiness in prior tournament play. George Ford has been prominent in managing England’s kicking and territorial game in the early phases.

Forward outlook

The fixture will progress under the refereeing of Andrea Piardi with TMO oversight from Matteo Liperini, and attention will remain on how the benches are used given the late alteration in Ireland’s numbers. The day’s schedule also includes a later Six Nations contest between Wales and Scotland with a 4. 40pm kickoff.

Confirmed milestones to watch are Maro Itoje’s 100th cap unfolding on the field and the immediate response of Ireland’s replacements to the sudden loss of Jack Conan. The matter of Conan’s availability beyond this match remains under review. In the short term, both teams must manage the practical effects of the changes already in play and execute the strategies set out in the starting XVs and benches.