England kicks off their 2025 Six Nations campaign with a tough trip to Dublin, where they will face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, February 1. For this match, Steve Borthwick has made some bold decisions, notably handing a first-ever joint start to twins Tom and Ben Curry in the back row, as well as awarding Cadan Murley his debut.
The Curry Twins Starting Together for the First Time
On Saturday in Dublin (5:45 PM), against the Men in Green, Steve Borthwick has made a significant selection call by naming Tom and Ben Curry together in the back row—a first for the twins in an England jersey. Both play for Sale Sharks and are accustomed to lining up together at club level, but until now, only Tom had been a regular feature in the national team. During the autumn tour against New Zealand, Tom started while Ben was on the bench.
This time, both twins will be on the pitch from the first whistle, marking a special moment for their family and for international rugby, as no twin brothers have ever started a match together before. Tom, a mainstay in the squad with 56 caps already, will earn his 57th, while Ben will make just his seventh appearance for England. The biggest surprise is Ben’s inclusion, as many expected the towering Ollie Chessum to start alongside his brother and Ben Earl, who is now a fixture at No. 8 despite playing a different role for Saracens. The trio had previously played together, but only at U18 level.
Key Changes in the Front Row and Backline
In the front row, Luke Cowan-Dickie, a clubmate of the Curry twins at Sale, will start at hooker, taking advantage of Jamie George’s injury struggles. George has also been relieved of the captaincy following a disappointing November series. Leadership duties now fall to Maro Itoje, a key figure in the squad, who will partner George Martin in the second row. Itoje becomes the 136th captain in the history of the England team.
Behind the scrum, Borthwick has had to adapt to several absences, including those of George Furbank and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. He briefly considered playing Fin Smith at fly-half and shifting Marcus Smith to full-back—a tactic trialed during the World Cup—but ultimately opted for stability. Northampton’s Alex Mitchell, who missed the November Tests, returns at scrum-half.
At full-back, Freddie Steward retains his spot, a logical choice given Ireland’s kicking game and aerial threat. Finally, Cadan Murley, the Harlequins winger, earns his first start on the wing after several squad call-ups without playing.
England’s Lineup
Starting XV:
15. F. Steward
14. T. Freeman
13. O. Lawrence
12. H. Slade
11. C. Murley
10. M. Smith
9. A. Mitchell
8. B. Earl
7. B. Curry
6. T. Curry
5. G. Martin
4. M. Itoje (capt)
3. W. Stuart
2. L. Cowan-Dickie
- E. Genge
Replacements:
16. T. Dan
17. F. Baxter
18. J. Heyes
19. O. Chessum
20. C. Cunningham-South
21. T. Willis
22. H. Randall
23. F. Smith
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