Eddie Jones once again highlighted the inexperience of his backline this week, saying the likes of Harry Randall, Marcus Smith and Freddie Steward are still learning about international rugby.

England spluttered in attack during victory against Wales and they will need to produce something better to get a win today.

Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson was one of several pundits - including Scotland's Andy Nicol, Ireland's Shane Horgan and Wales' Philippa Tuttiett - to suggest it might be time for Jones to deliver the new attack he has been promising for a while despite the youth of his star players.

"Over the last four years there have been continuous questions about England's attack," Dawson said.

"Whether it is the coaching, the style he wants to play, the control he wants to have over the players, it doesn’t feel to me like the players are playing to the best of their team ability."

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Jones is never shy about throwing out a word or two on his opponents.

Before this one he's called Ireland "red-hot favourites" and the world's most cohesive side, while also claiming they have not faced a team as physical as England for a long-time.

Some would argue a France side buoyed by the presence of near-23st prop Uini Atonio provided a decent physical test for Ireland in round two.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, who has worked under Jones previously, has been cool as a cucumber in the face of all this.

"I love Eddie's comments. I love reading them," he said.

"I don't get it sometimes, but I like reading it. I think it's intriguing."

For more on Jones' possible attempts at mind games, here is Michael Morrow's piece on the subject.

Image source, Getty Images

This could be Ireland great Johnny Sexton's last game at Twickenham.

The fly-half announced this week that he would retire after the 2023 World Cup after signing a contract extension until the end of the tournament.

"I've been beating around the bush for six months, always nervous talking about the World Cup when you weren't guaranteed to be there," he said.

"It was always my intention to try and stay at the top of my game to get myself to a World Cup and I'm very thankful and grateful that I've been afforded that opportunity to do it. Now it's up to me to keep the body in good shape."

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Twickenham

The wisdom of experience against the audacity of youth. Master v apprentice. The old dog and the young pup.

Pick your cliche, choose your fighter, the battle of the two 10s - England's Marcus Smith and Ireland's Johnny Sexton - is going to be intriguing.

Sexton was one of a clutch of Ireland players who marched straight out onto the Twickenham pitch after their bus arrived a good two hours before kick-off.

A few minutes later Smith strutted out onto the dancefloor like he owned the place. He even had time to give his Harlequins defence coach Jerry Flannery a thumbs up. Former Ireland hooker Flannery is pitchside on media duties for an Irish broadcaster.

Tom Curry was also taking in HQ air. He was hooked up to some old-school wired earphones as well. His birthday is 15 June if any of his nearest and dearest are stuck for a present idea.

Image source, Getty

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has stuck with experience for this one.

Captain Johnny Sexton is back in the starting XV, while full-back Hugo Keenan and wing Andrew Conway also return.

Centre Bundee Aki is preferred to Robbie Henshaw and Cian Healy starts in the front row.

James Ryan comes in at lock and Iain Henderson is named among the replacements.

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.

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Twickenham

Image source, .

Nearly three weeks since the Russian invasion started, there is visible support and solidarity for Ukraine in and around the stadium.

There are fund-raising drives on the approaches to the stadium, there will be a moment of applause pre kick-off and, while the match is going on, the pitchside signs will encourage people to donate.

The Ukranian flag flies between the two teams' standards at the top of the stands.

Image source, .

With Itoje starting, Joe Launchbury will have to wait for his first England appearance since December 2020 on the bench.

Elsewhere in the pack, Sam Simmonds starts at number eight and Alex Dombrandt is among the replacements following his Covid-19 isolation.

Joe Marchant is at 13 and will partner Henry Slade in the midfield, while Harry Randall again starts at nine.

Jamie George is the starting hooker as Luke Cowan-Dickie is injured and Jamie Blamire comes onto the bench.

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.

Image source, Getty Images

Some good news for England fans to kick things off.

Lock Maro Itoje was a doubt after becoming unwell on Thursday night but England have announced he is fit to start.

Hopefully England have managed to prise Joe Marler and Harry Randall apart to start the warm-up.

Image source, Getty Images

It's go time.

Image source, Getty Images