Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
The Six Nations is almost here as rugby’s annual spring spectacular returns with perhaps the most open edition yet.
Defending champions Ireland are on the hunt for an unprecedented three-peat, but face a potentially tricky opener against the team that denied them back-to-back grand slams a year ago. England have had precious little success since that Twickenham win yet head to Dublin with a degree of confidence – Steve Borthwick named his side for the Aviva Stadium clash two days ahead of schedule as he looks to get on the front foot ahead of a defining campaign.
France and Wales should follow along by confirming their XVs today ahead of their opening night battle at the Stade de France. Can a wounded Welsh side end their winless woe? Or will this be the start of another Antoine Dupont-inspired success for Fabien Galthie’s men? The form book suggests only one conclusion but this grand old championship has a habit of throwing up a surprise or two…
Follow all of the latest build-up and analysis ahead of the start of the Six Nations in our live blog below:
Steve Borthwick explains back row selection – and admits to key weakness
“The back row can run,” Borthwick explained to media at England’s training camp in Girona yesterday after selecting the Curry twins and Ben Earl in his back row.
“All three players have got incredible engines, incredible mobility, they are fantastic players defensively, their tackling and their jackal, and they carry the ball well.
“The feeling now is the three players starting, Ben, Tom and Ben Earl, that combination is what we need, particularly with the work rate they bring.
“Clearly, there’s always a blend and always a trade-off of what you decide to do and why you decide to do it. It is my job to weigh up all those considerations and I am sure Paul O’Connell [forwards coach] and the Irish lineout will look at this and try to attack us in that area. We will have to be very good.”
Harry Latham-Coyle29 January 2025 09:30
Curry twins to start in tandem as England reveal team to face Ireland
Identical twins Tom and Ben Curry will start together for England for the first time as Steve Borthwick makes a bold selection call for his side’s Six Nations opener against Ireland.
The Sale pair are deployed at blindside and openside respectively, as they are regularly for their club, having first been named in a matchday squad together during the Autumn Nations Series.
Six forwards, including the in form Tom Willis, are named on the bench as Fin Smith gets the nod ahead of George Ford as cover at 10. Maro Itoje captains England from the start for the first time.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 January 2025 09:15
Six Nations 2025 schedule: Fixtures, kick-off times and how to watch
The Six Nations gets underway on Friday night with a clash under the lights in Paris. Here’s how you can follow every fixture from this year’s tournament:
Harry Latham-Coyle29 January 2025 08:59
Six Nations LIVE
Good morning. Rugby’s greatest annual championship is almost upon us, the Six Nations set to return with a mouthwatering edition that feels more open that most. Can England rebound from a difficult 2024? Is this finally Scotland’s year? Is there any end to the Welsh woe? Or is the title destined to be decided by an Irish/French squabble again?
A British and Irish Lions year only adds extra intrigue to a tournament that appears set to thrill. We’ll have all the latest team news, analysis and much, much more throughout the day.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 January 2025 07:53
