It isn’t just Ireland wrestling with this conundrum as the Six Nations approaches. The debate is just as keen across the Irish Sea as Marcus Smith and Fin Smith vie for the No.10 shirt. Marcus Smith is 25 now and 39 caps into his Test career but plenty of juries remain out as to the Harlequins playmaker’s true potential,

Harlequins star Marcus Smith has win the race for the 10 jersey. The midfield sees Exeter Chiefs' Henry Slade named at inside centre with Bath's Ollie Lawrence at 13. In the back three, Cadan Murley will make his England debut on the left wing, with Tommy Freeman on the right and Freddie Steward at full-back, rounding off the starting line-up.

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

Position by Position, Ireland's rugby legends assess the candidates and pick their XV to start the opening Six Nations game against England in Dublin

NEW IRELAND BOSS Neil Doak has announced his starting side for Ireland’s U20 Six Nations opener against England on Thursday night, [KO: 7.45pm, Virgin Media Two]. Connacht Academy forward Éanna McCarthy will captain the team,