Johnny Sexton has been helping form Ireland's masterplan for their Six Nations opener against England on Saturday.

Holders England survive Junior Kpoku's 20-minute red card to defeat Ireland in the Under-20s Six Nations opener 19-3 in Cork.

Simon Easterby, Ireland’s Interim Head Coach, has named his first matchday squad, for the highly anticipated Guinness Men’s Six Nations opener against England.

England's Ben Curry is confident their lineout will hold up just fine against Ireland amid talk the hosts will target that area in Dublin on Saturday.

Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast will start his first Six Nations game in Saturday's opener against England and marshal an almost full strength side as the holders bid to win a third successive title for the first time.

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast will start his first Six Nations game in Saturday's opener against England and marshal an almost full strength side as the holders bid to win a third successive title for the first time.

IRELAND TIGHTHEAD PROP Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England in Dublin due to a recurrence of his calf injury. Connacht’s uncapped Jack Aungier has been called up to the Ireland senior squad for the first time in place of Furlong.