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Six Nations: Baloucoune and McCloskey to start for Ireland in England clash

They are among four Ulster players named in the squad

Ulster star Rob Baloucoune who will start for Ireland against England in Saturday's Six Nations clash at TwickenhamEngl
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 19th Feb 2026

Ulster players Rob Baloucoune and Stuart McCloskey have kept their place in Ireland's starting line-up to face England in Saturday's Six Nations encounter.

Ulster star Stuart McCloskey who is in Ireland's starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations clash with England

Both impressed in the win over Italy - while fellow Ulster stars Tom O'Toole and Nick Timoney retain their place on the bench.

Baloucoune, Jamie Osborne, and James Lowe are named in an unchanged back three, with McCloskey and Garry Ringrose continuing in midfield.

Elsewhere, as expected, Jack Crowley comes in at out-half to partner Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.

Head Coach, Andy Farrell, said: “Games between the two sides have been nip and tuck over recent times and there’s great familiarity and respect across both camps.

"We know their strengths and our aim is to deliver the best version of ourselves to put us in a position to get the performance that we want.

“Backed by thousands of travelling Irish supporters who come from all over the world whenever we play in Twickenham, it will be another special occasion and a challenge we’re excited to face.”

Ireland

  1. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(12)
  1. Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster)(5)
  1. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(71)
  1. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(25)
  1. James Lowe (Leinster)(44)
  1. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(32)
  1. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(48)
  1. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster)(7)
  1. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(37)
  1. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(83)
  1. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(21)
  1. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(78)
  1. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(67)
  1. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(76)
  1. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)(captain)(57)

Replacements:

  1. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(45)
  1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(18)
  1. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(55)
  1. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(8)
  1. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(57)
  1. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(26)
  1. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(9)
  1. Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College/Leinster)(7).