Curry twins to start in tandem as England reveal team to face Ireland
Curry twins to start in tandem as England reveal team to face Ireland
Share:
The flankers are paired in the back row as Steve Borthwick hands a surprise debut to Cadan Murley on the wing. Identical twins Tom and Ben Curry will start together for England for the first time as Steve Borthwick makes a bold selection call for his side’s Six Nations opener against Ireland.
![[Harlequins wing Cadan Murley is handed a debut]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/28/19/newFile-2.jpg)
The Sale pair are deployed at blindside and openside respectively, as they are regularly for their club, having first been named in a matchday squad together during the Autumn Nations Series. Elsewhere, there is a surprise debut for Cadan Murley on the wing in the absence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, while Freddie Steward starts at full-back with George Furbank injured.
![[Tom Curry (right) and Ben Curry could play their first minutes together for England]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/11/01/09/ce75a164cb9c51eae2c5e35e07005c1dY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzMwNTM3Mzkw-2.76413228.jpg)
Marcus Smith continues at fly half after starting all four games in November, with half-back partner Alex Mitchell fit to start having been an injury doubt. Six forwards, including the in form Tom Willis, are named on the bench as Fin Smith gets the nod ahead of George Ford as cover at 10. Maro Itoje captains England from the start for the first time.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing the tournament favourites,” said Borthwick as his side prepare to begin a crucial campaign against the defending champions. "We know it’ll be a tough contest against a team that’s very familiar with each other. We’ll need to work tirelessly and maintain our discipline from the first whistle to the last.
