Ireland vs England predictions, odds and betting tips (Six Nations)
Ireland and England will meet at the Aviva Stadium in a blockbuster encounter on the opening weekend of the 2025 Six Nations Championship.
The Irish are the two-time defending Six Nations champions, and they are seeking an historic third successive championship. In the latest Ireland vs England odds, the boys in green are the favourites to beat England and win the Millennium Trophy for a 17th time.
And after Marcus Smith’s last gasp drop goal at Twickenham in 2024 denied the Irish back-to-back Grand Slams, the hosts will feel they owe England a beating. You can find all the odds from the best rugby bookies here.
Ireland vs England odds
- BoyleSports - Ireland 1/3 England 11/5 - Draw 25/1
- Qbet - Ireland 4/11 England 12/5 - Draw 18/1
- Betway - Ireland 7/20 England 5/2 - Draw 22/1
- Luckster - Ireland 7/20 England 15/8 - Draw 31/2
- bet365 - Ireland 4/11 England 12/5 - Draw 25/1
- BetVictor - Ireland 1/3 England 23/10 - Draw 22/1
- 10bet - Ireland 1/3 England 12/5 - Draw 22/1
- Netbet - Ireland 19/50 England 5/2 - Draw 25/1
- DafaBet - Ireland 19/50 England 5/2 - Draw 25/1
England vs Ireland prediction
Ireland vs England is the stand out fixture of the opening weekend of the 2025 Six Nations Championship.
The Irish are the back-to-back champions and are seeking a record breaking third successive championship. If they manage it, Ireland will become the first team to win the title three years running since the format changed in 2000 with the admission of Italy.
If the boys in green are to achieve the three-peat, they will have to do it without Andy Farrell. Their inspirational head coach is taking a sabbatical to prepare for his role in charge of the British & Irish Lions this summer. Simon Easterby will be in charge of Ireland for the Six Nations in Farrell's absence.
Leading the British and Irish Lions isn’t an honour bestowed on anybody. Farrell’s appointment to the role is a testament to the excellent job he has done with this Ireland side.
Without Farrell’s influence, it will be interesting to see how Ireland gets on. How the team copes with his absence will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this year’s championship.
The defending champions start the competition in pole position as they are hosting both England and France at the Aviva Stadium in the 2025 edition. Home fixtures against their two chief rivals gives the higher world ranked Irish an even greater edge.
England will be looking to pick up from where they left off last year against Ireland.
England won the 2024 match 23-22 thanks to a drop goal by Marcus Smith in the 81st minute. It was the last play of the match, and the win for England ended an 11-match winning streak in the Six Nations for Ireland.
Finding a way or replicating the win over Ireland on a more consistent basis is the next stage of England’s development under head coach Steve Borthwick.
The 2025 Six Nations will be Borthwick’s third in charge. So far, most observers believe England has underachieved under the former Leicester Tigers head coach.
As a result, the pressure will be on Borthwick, especially after England’s disappointing performances in the 2024 Autumn Internationals. There has even been talk that this could be his last championship in charge if things go badly wrong.
The England head coach has already made one big call. Borthwick has changed captain with Maro Itoje chosen to lead the team at the expense of his Saracens’ teammate Jamie George, who remains part of the squad, but now solely in a playing capacity.
Against the Irish in Dublin, that decision will immediately be put to the test. But the match also offers Itoje and his England team the opportunity to show they are up to the task by defeating the favourites in their own backyard.
Ireland vs England betting tips
England (+7.5) to win on the handicap spread
Ireland is ranked No.2 in the world, England is No.7.
Up until their ten-point home defeat to New Zealand in the Autumn Internationals, the Irish were the No.1 ranked team in the world. Ireland’s defeat to New Zealand also ended a 19-match unbeaten run at home for Andy Farrell’s team.
With that air of invincibility at the Aviva Stadium now gone, the Irish could be more vulnerable. Especially without the presence of Andy Farrell to fall back on.
I’m not convinced England can win in Dublin. They were too shoddy in the Autumn Internationals. But I expect to see Steve Borthwick’s men push an edgy Ireland all the way and be within the 7.5-point spread.
🏉 Back England (+7.5) on the handicap spread at 10/11 with bet365 🏉
46.5 Points
Ireland bounced back from their 23-13 autumn defeat against New Zealand with wins over Argentina (22-19), Fiji (52-17) and Australia (22-19).
The victory over Fiji was expected to be as comfortable as the scoreline suggests it was. But the wins over Argentina and Australia were nervy, with Ireland not looking as fluent as they can be.
The matches against Argentina and Australia were both under 46.5 points. As was Ireland’s 2024 Six Nations match against England.
I expect to see England produce a similar sort of gritty performance to those of the Pumas and the Wallabies. And that is likely to result in a low scoring match.
🏉 Go for Over 46.5 Points at 17/20 with BetVictor 🏉
Maro Itoje to be Player of the Match
If England is to pull off a shock victory at the Aviva Stadium, it’s likely to be built on a backs-to-the-wall defensive display.
With Maro Itoje being named as England’s new captain, it would come as no surprise to me to see the Saracens’ lock named as the player of the match.
🏉 Back Maro Itoje to be Player of the Match at 8/1 with Boylesports 🏉
How to watch Ireland vs England
Ireland and England will contest the Millennium Trophy for the 38th time at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. England have won 21, Ireland has won 16. Details of how to watch Ireland vs England can be found below:
- Date: Saturday February 1st, 2025
- Kick Off: 4.45 pm GMT.
- Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
- How to watch: Live on Virgin Media One in Ireland and ITV1 and ITVX in England.
About the author
Dean Etheridge
Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn ()
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