Henry Pollock is set to make his first England start on Saturday as Steve Borthwick names his side to face Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations – with five other Northampton Saints players named amongst the matchday 23.
The 21-year-old back row will earn his eighth cap as he starts at No. 8, with Saints teammates Alex Mitchell, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman all joining him in the starting line-up at scrum-half, centre and winger respectively.
Two further Saints will hope to take to the field at Allianz Stadium this weekend, with tighthead prop Trevor Davison set to earn a sixth cap from amongst the replacements and lock Alex Coles also named on the bench preparing to make a 17th appearance for England.
“We’re expecting a huge contest at Allianz Stadium and we’re excited for it,” said England head coach Borthwick.
“We know the challenge Ireland will bring and we’ve selected a side that we believe has the right balance to meet it.”
ENGLAND SQUAD vs IRELAND
Saturday 21 February 2026
Allianz Stadium
Kick-off: 2.10pm
15 Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 43 caps)
14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 24 caps)
13 Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 37 caps)
12 Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
11 Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
10 George Ford (Sale Sharks, 107 caps) – vice-captain
9 Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 29 caps)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 77 caps) – vice-captain
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 55 caps)
3 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 99 caps) – captain
5 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 67 caps)
7 Ben Earl (Saracens, 48 caps)
8 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
Replacements:
16 Jamie George (Saracens, 107 caps) – vice-captain
17 Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 12 caps)
18 Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
19 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
20 Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
21 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 47 caps)
22 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
23 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 47 caps)