Ford gets the match underway for Eng, taken up by McCloskey

Anthems concluded and kickoff is just moments away

The sides are out on the field, anthems to follow

Maro Itoje runs out for his 100th appearance for England

Jack Conan has been ruled out of today's game due to illness, Cian Prendergast takes his place on the bench

England host Ireland in a crunch round 3 Six Nations Championship clash with both sides having won one and lost one of their two opening matches. Head to head these teams have met on 143 occasions, with England winning 81 to the 54 by Ireland to go along with eight draws.