Erin King plucks the ball out of the air at the line-out and Ireland get their maul rolling.

They are five metres out.

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Katy Daley-Mclean
Former England captain on BBC Two

England's speed of ball, you see them making metres. It's going to be really hard for Ireland to make that contact and slow that ball down.

Ireland win the throw this time and O'Brien launches it downfield.

Abby Dow does really well to keep the ball in play, but she's shovelled into touch by Eve Higgins and Amee-Leigh Costigan.

That's the biggest cheer of the game so far - from both the crowd and Higgins. Mega defence and Ireland have the throw.

Dannah O'Brien puts in a big hit to stop Jess Breach as she looked to dart through a gap.

England's pressure is building but Ireland hold firm so far....and win the penalty!

Hannah Botterman ran in front of Natasha Hunt and was pinged for crossing.

We're having a couple of attempts at getting this one started.

The Irish crowd are trying to will their side on, but England win the set-piece with ease.

England pinch it at the line-out and are immediately into the Ireland half as the fowards fire it through the hands.

Zoe Harrison puts some big pressure on full-back Stacey Flood with a lovely wee kick through, and Flood actually knocked it on as she went to scoop it up.

This is in a great position for England.

Just like she was last year, Aurelie Groizeleau is in charge of this one.

She blows her whistle after Morwenna Talling failed to roll away at a ruck.

O'Brien fires it into touch in the England half.

Ireland spill it forward and Jess Breach looks to stretch her legs on the wing. She beats one green shirt but is put into touch by Hogan.

England played through the advantage and Ireland will have the throw.

Katy Daley-Mclean
Former England captain on BBC Two

It's going to be a fascinating game. It will be really interesting to see how Ireland match-up to this 'A-team' of England

It's secured by captain Zoe Aldcroft and Zoe Harrison fires it clear.

Ireland have it again on halfway as they look to build.

England immediately kick possession back to Ireland, who go through a couple of phases before Dannah O'Brien sends a lovely little kick into the corner.

It's England's throw but there's pressure on it.

Off we go in Cork!

Will England make it three out of three? Can Ireland cause another upset against one of the world's best? Let's find out!

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There's a great noise after the two Irish anthems.

That's set the tone nicely for this one!

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Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport

Image source, Inpho

One win for a decade of dominance.

England know victory over Ireland would complete a clean sweep spanning 10 years.

Since Ireland's narrow victory over the Red Roses in 2015, the gap in professionalism and class between the sides has widened year-on-year.

The reality hit hardest in last year's Six Nations when John Mitchell's side recorded an 11th successive victory and their highest points win (88) over Ireland.

Over the past three championship games against Six Nations leaders England, Ireland have scored 10 points and conceded 205.

However, 12 months is a long time in sport, and following a shock win over world champions New Zealand at WXV1 in October and a 54-12 thrashing of Italy to record a first away win in the Six Nations since 2021, Ireland welcome Mitchell's side with renewed confidence.

"Ireland's win over New Zealand was a massive result for them," England hooker Lark Atkin-Davies told BBC Sport. "All of us were watching it and were in a little bit of shock at how well they controlled that game.

"We thought Ireland are here to play. We want our games to be really competitive and for women's rugby that is what people come to watch, they come for really close games."

England Rugby

England's head coach John Mitchell speaking to BBC Sport: "I want to see Alex be herself, she is a world-class player and she deserves the selection. I think the team will be stronger in this selection today."

"Ireland have definitely improved big-time. They have a team that is confident."

Abby Dow leads out England on her 50th cap. It's a big achievement for the wing, who has two tries in as many matches this year.

Ireland soon follow and there's a decent noise in Cork. The anthems are just around the corner.

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Eyes on the prize.

England prop Sarah Bern says she would not hesitate if asked to perform another TikTok dance live on air - because it is "fun" and shows "personality".

Following the Red Roses' 11-try hammering of Wales at Principality Stadium in round two of the Women's Six Nations, Bern and Wales full-back Jasmine Joyce-Butchers joined BBC Sport pundits live on air and performed a TikTok dance that went viral.

Backlash on social media soon followed for Joyce-Butchers, who later defended her participation, because her side had just suffered a 55-point defeat in front of a record crowd of 21,186 for a Wales women's team event on home soil.

"I said how cool it would be to celebrate Wales getting a record crowd and new coach and this being an amazing event," Bern told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.

"Jaz loved the idea. At club we are silly and funny. That is where we are at Bristol after Ilona brought a real nice light to social media and filled us with confidence to show your personality and enjoy it.

"I want women – for me anyway as it is not something I had – to be really strong female role models.

"Let's roll with the punches. That is what I would love to be and something I am navigating in myself. It is something I would love people to look up to and say 'she gave it her best shot, had fun, what a way of living life'."

Maggie Alphonsi
2014 England World Cup winner on BBC Two

Ireland need to work better at getting their defensive shape in space. They have got it wrong in previous games. I truly believe this will make a big difference in the way they play against England.

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Full-back Stacey Flood says Ireland must "win the little moments" when they come up against world number one side and defending champions England.

Flood, a sevens specialist who was part of the Ireland team at the Paris Olympics, is back in the XVs fold and eager to face England for the first time in the latter code.

Ireland earned a shock win over then world number one ranked New Zealand during their WXV1 campaign in the autumn and Flood hopes they can cause another upset.

"It's going to be tough but we've shown what we can do against bigger sides and we really test ourselves and believe in ourselves," she said.

"We just have to have confidence in the abilities we have and win the little moments and then see what the outcome is.

"You shouldn't be afraid who is standing next to you because on the starting whistle it's just 15 women against 15 women."