Sinckler and Dombrandt deliver England boost for Ireland showdown

Eddie Jones has been boosted before England’s crucial Six Nations clash against Ireland with Kyle Sinckler passed fit to start and Alex Dombrandt deemed ready for a place on the bench. Tom Curry has also been named in the side after completing the head injury return to play protocols with Jones making three changes in total to the side that overcame Wales.

Sinckler has been hampered by a back injury this week but came through individual training on Wednesday and has proved his fitness in Thursday morning’s session. Dombrandt only returned to training on Thursday after testing positive for Covid-19 last week but is named on the bench with Sam Simmonds, as expected, lining up at No 8. Jamie George replaces the injured Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker and Joe Marchant is preferred to Elliot Daly in the other two changes.

Joe Launchbury is named on the bench and is in line for a first appearance in 15 months but while Jones was thought to be considering a 6-2 split among his replacements, he has opted for the more traditional 5-3, meaning there is no place in the matchday squad for Alfie Barbeary. Otherwise there is a settled look to the side as England seek to keep their hopes of topping the Six Nations table alive against Ireland.

Sinckler’s availability will be welcomed by Jones given Ireland are without Andrew Porter but have called on the experience of Cian Healy. Dombrandt excelled against Wales but was always unlikely to start given his positive Covid test so the fact he is ready for a place on the bench is a similarly a positive outcome for Jones.

Eddie Jones has named his team for #ENGvIRE