Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Twickenham

There are some big patches of green in the Twickenham stands with large numbers of Ireland fans making the trip, some combining it with some Cheltenham action as well.

They greet the visitors with a big roar.

The decibels rise higher for England's arrival though.

During the anthems a pitch invader attempted to line up alongside the England team and was swiftly decked by an enormous shoulder from one of the stadium security team. The physicality starts early.

Image source, .

Sam Simmonds is under the kick and sets off speedily out of England's 22.

Harry Randall sends up a kick and it's a rapid start, with James Lowe finding some space on the left wing.

England recover the ball and will go again. Both sides look to be enjoying the chance to burn off the anticipation that's been building all week.

But oh dear... Ireland's James Ryan is down already.

Johnny Sexton kicks off a Six Nations game at Twickenham for the final time.

Let's go.

Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI at Twickenham

Itoje and Genge physically bouncing during the anthems. Bang up for this, and why not?

Six Nations still on the table, winner stays on. Packed house, pyro and a hell of a noise.

Well Maro Itoje doesn't look like he's been ill at all.

The lock is bouncing as he sings the anthem with vim. Both sides are up for this one.

Eamonn McGurk: Huge game at Twickenham! Season defining for both teams!

Craig Fraser: This game is gonna be a corker, I can feel it.

Here's hoping Craig.

On to the anthems. Ireland's call is first.

A kid in the crowd sings with a huge smile - and the Irish flag - painted on his face. Peter O'Mahony screws his eyes shut and bellows to the sky.

We take a moment, as usual, to recognise Rugby Against Racism before a message is read out in support of Ukraine. Fans and players applaud and several supporters hold up Ukraine flags in the crowd.

A quick reminder of who's out there before we get to the anthems.

England: Steward; Malins, Marchant, Slade, Nowell; Smith, Randall; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Ewels, Lawes (capt), Curry, Simmonds.

Replacements: Blamire, Marler, Stuart, Launchbury, Dombrandt, Youngs, Ford, Daly.

Ireland: Keenan; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt.), Gibson-Park; Healy, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Henderson, Conan, Murray, Carbery, Henshaw.

The teams are out!

Ireland casually jog onto the pitch, led by captain Johnny Sexton.

Eddie Jones is all business as he heads to his seat and Courtney Lawes leads his England team out in front of a joyous Twickenham crowd.

Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI at Twickenham

Ireland gather for a final huddle after a fairly intense warm-up before going through their final run throughs.

Who's that in the middle delivering what appears to be a raucous and impassioned team talk?

Paul O'Connell, of course. There is no better man.

As a player he famously loved England week. A chance to bring the emotional energy right up to but not over boiling point - you can be sure the great man has been a big voice during Ireland's preparations.

Eddie Jones has assured fans in his pre-match interview on ITV that Maro Itoje is ready to go after getting ill on Thursday night.

Apparently he was "up and about this morning eating bread rolls and drinking tea". That's what it takes to get the Eddie Jones Test rugby sign-off.

Want to send us a result prediction?

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In 2019, England travelled to Dublin in strangely similar circumstances to today.

Ireland had claimed an autumn win over New Zealand, England had finished fifth in the Six Nations the year before.

Back then, Eddie Jones' side claimed a statement win.

Mike Henson has explored what they must do to get the same result today and why victory is so important. Have a quick read, then hurry back for kick-off.

England's backline has 126 caps in total, while Ireland's has 250. In total, the hosts' starting line-up has 499 caps to the visitors' 629.

The forwards are fairly similar though with 373 caps for England's starters and 379 for Ireland's.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Twickenham

Image source, Getty Images

The aerial battle is not expected to be as big a part of this contest as it has been in previous years, but England scrum-half Harry Randall and his replacement Ben Youngs are not leaving anything to chance.

The pair of them are exchanging towering box kicks, getting perilously close to knocking spider cam and his web of wires.

England fly-half Marcus Smith and centre Henry Slade are still building their bond on the pitch, but apparently they're making good progress off it.

Slade shared their in-camp routine with BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday, saying: "Round the hotel we often do a little upper-body gym pump in the evening then go to the spa.

"Little things like that do bring you closer as mates. I’ve known Marcus for a little while now.

"We play a bit of Call of Duty together as well. Building relationships off the pitch are so key to helping you on the pitch. He’s a good kid."

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI at Twickenham

Maro Itoje's presence is as much of a boost for England as his absence would have been for Ireland.

Prior to last year's game in Dublin, Itoje had been Ireland's tormentor-in-chief as England handed them four successive defeats in which they were badly beaten up.

Eddie Jones harked back to the manner of those wins earlier in the week when he suggested Ireland hadn't faced an outfit this physical in quite some time. The battle of the breakdown is going to be fascinating.

Both England and Ireland need victory today to keep themselves in with a chance of the title.

Of course, whoever wins would also need France to lose to England on the final weekend.

Image source, BBC Sport

• Ireland have triumphed just once in London since 2010 in this championship
• Ireland have gone eight consecutive matches without conceding a yellow card, dating back to the win over England in last year’s Championship
• England have won 22 of their past 25 Six Nations matches at home (D1, L2)

Image source, Getty Images