Six Nations 2025: England pick Curry twins to face Ireland

Twin brothers Tom Curry and Ben Curry are set to play for England together for the first time, having been selected as starting flankers for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Ireland. The 26-year-old brothers from Sale will start on either side of No. 8 Ben Earl, with six forwards including Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, and Tom Willis named on the bench.

On the left wing, the uncapped Cadan Murley replaces Ollie Sleightholme, while Exeter’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is absent due to a dislocated shoulder. Alex Mitchell has recovered from a knee injury to start at scrum-half, with Marcus Smith at fly-half and Freddie Steward at full-back in the absence of the injured George Furbank. Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence continue their midfield partnership, while Luke Cowan-Dickie starts at hooker after Jamie George was ruled out with a hamstring issue.

Maro Itoje, who took over as captain from George two weeks ago, continues his second-row partnership with George Martin. England's starting lineup against Ireland is: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Murley; M Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje, Martin, T Curry, B Curry, Earl. Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, Willis, Randall, F Smith.

Tom Curry made an early breakthrough, becoming the youngest England starter in over 90 years at the age of 18 against Argentina in 2017. Ben, who was selected for the game against the Barbarians earlier that summer but withdrew due to a back injury, had to wait longer. He won the first of his six caps against the USA in 2021, by which time Tom had been selected for the British and Irish Lions and had played in a World Cup final. Head coach Steve Borthwick had intended to play them together in the later stages of England’s autumn international against New Zealand, but ultimately opted for Ben to replace Tom from the bench.

Nevertheless, Ben, the older brother by 90 minutes, described the opportunity as "very special." He said on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on Tuesday: "When you go home and you see the artwork that you did in primary school and high school in your room – and there's one of me in an England shirt." "Everything has built up to this moment." While they are the first twin brothers to play for England, Emma and Jane Mitchell were members of the 1994 Women's Rugby World Cup winning squad, while Poppy and Bryonie Cleall have recently joined the Red Roses.

The combination of the Curry brothers and the mobile Earl in the back row suggests that England will be fiercely competitive at the breakdown, seeking to disrupt the rhythm of an Ireland side aiming for a third consecutive Six Nations title. "I see an incredible work rate and intensity in the way that Ben, Tom and Ben Earl play, and that is required against Ireland," said Borthwick. "It’s an exciting team, they are hungry to play, have athleticism and use ball movement to get our supporters jumping out of their seats."

He also stated, "That style will make our supporters proud when they go to work on Monday because their England team has performed well and made them feel great." Tom Willis, who featured in a warm-up match against Wales in 2023, is poised to win his second cap from the bench after an outstanding season for his club Saracens. The 26-year-old, whose brother Jack plays for Toulouse in France and is ineligible for England, tops the Premiership charts for defenders beaten and carries, while also being in the league's top ten for turnovers, tackles and carry metres.

“As a group, Saracens have told us to bring the fun back into the game,” he said in an interview with Rugby Union Weekly. “We are going very well as a forward pack, and that is helping me to play freely.” He said he does not overcomplicate his approach to Test matches. “I try to do as much work and fighting as possible,” he added. “I will try to get the team on the front foot, and then go from there.”