Farrell left out of England’s game against Ireland with Ford taking his place

George Ford has been named to start at fly-half for England against Ireland on Saturday for the first time since March 2021 with Steve Borthwick revealing Owen Farrell has been left out because of the disruption endured this week. The head coach has opted to stand down his captain, whose availability to lead England at the World Cup remains in jeopardy after World Rugby appealed against the decision to rescind his ban. Courtney Lawes assumes the captaincy in Farrell’s absence.

Farrell missed England’s training session on Tuesday and the expectation is that the match will count towards any ban he receives at the appeal hearing. “In my original planning and as part of our Rugby World Cup preparation, Owen Farrell was due to be selected to play in this Saturday’s Test match in Dublin,” said Borthwick.

“However, in light of the fact that so much of Owen’s training and match preparation time this week has been significantly affected and interrupted by the disciplinary process, I have not selected him in the matchday 23. Owen will travel to Ireland with our full support. Owen understands the situation, but is of course disappointed, as I am.”

There are first appearances of England’s warm-up fixtures for Manu Tuilagi at inside-centre and Anthony Watson on the wing. Tuilagi was not in contention to face Wales last Saturday but comes in to add some power to the midfield while Watson comes in for Henry Arundell on the right. Freddie Steward continues at full-back for his third straight start for England this summer, as does Joe Marchant at outside centre. Ben Youngs replaces Jack van Poortvliet at scrum-half while Elliot Daly completes the back-line on the left wing.

Quick GuideEngland teamShow

F Steward (Leicester); A Watson (unattached), J Marchant (Stade Francais), M Tuilagi (Sale), E Daly (Saracens); G Ford (Sale), B Youngs (Leicester); E Genge (Bristol), J George (Saracens), W Stuart (Bath), M Itoje (Saracens), D Ribbans (Toulon), C Lawes (Northampton, capt), B Earl (Saracens), B Vunipola (Saracens).

Replacements: T Dan (Saracens), J Marler (Harlequins), K Sinckler (Bristol), O Chessum (Leicester), J Willis (Toulouse), D Care (Harlequins), M Smith (Harlequins), O Lawrence (Bath).

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Ollie Chessum has been deemed fit enough for a place on the bench and David Ribbans has recovered from his head injury to slot back into the side in the second row. Maro Itoje continues alongside him while Borthwick has named an unchanged back-row in Lawes, Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola. Ellis Genge, Jamie George and Will Stuart make up the front row.

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Joining Chessum on the bench are Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Willis, Danny Care, Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence.