Henry Pollock just one of many mouthwatering subplots at Twickenham

England and Ireland clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday with each knowing a second defeat of the Guinness Six Nations would end their title hopes.

Here the PA news agency looks at five talking points heading into the round three match.

England target a response
England can still seize France’s crown but their emphatic 31-20 mauling by Scotland at Murrayfield set alarm bells ringing. Passive from the start, they were guilty of a number of failings including key players underperforming and a lack of physicality.

Thanks to the new structure of the tournament with one fallow week being removed, they have an immediate opportunity to make amends against a side whose problems run deeper. England’s impressive 12-Test winning run ended at Murrayfield and they have been vocal in declaring an immediate response is needed.

Pollock unleashed
Henry Pollock’s first England start has been trumpeted from the rooftops by head coach Steve Borthwick, who is backing the 21-year-old back-row sensation to bring “euphoria” to Twickenham.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

17

28

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

80%

It is an exciting selection that will inject energy into the team, but just as significant is the return of Ollie Lawrence at outside centre, which has the knock-on effect of Tommy Freeman being restored to his strongest position on the wing. The hard-running Lawrence, now recovered from a knee injury, will be challenged to provide gainline punch and midfield cohesion against Ireland.

100 not out for Itoje
Maro Itoje will become the nation’s ninth Test centurion when he leads England out at Twickenham and richly deserves the reception awaiting him. The player famously compared to a “Vauxhall Viva” by Eddie Jones before he had made his debut in 2016 has gone on to become a colossus of English rugby and at 31 years old there are many more miles left in the engine yet.

A world-class operator on the field, particularly around the breakdown, in defence and at the line-out, he has also shown his resilience by playing through an undisclosed long-term health condition and the recent death of his mother. England will celebrate one of their greats on Saturday.

A rivalry realigned
Ireland won the corresponding fixture in Dublin last year but the rivals have been on different trajectories since. While England responded by embarking on their winning run, Andy Farrell’s men finished third in the Six Nations, endured a disappointing autumn and have yet to set the current Championship alight.

Injuries, a period of transition and a hangover from supplying the largest contingent to last summer’s British and Irish Lions tour have taken a toll on a squad that is now scrambling to be ready for the 2027 World Cup. Recent history is on their side for Saturday, however, having won five of their last six meetings with England.

Crowley backed for Twickenham
A snapshot of Ireland’s problems can be seen at fly-half where the duel between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley has seen the Munster playmaker come out on top for the visit to London.

By Farrell’s own admission, neither number 10 has been demanding selection through their form but disappointing performances against France and Italy that highlighted Prendergast’s defensive frailties have forced the head coach’s hand against England.