Johnny Sexton has been helping form Ireland's masterplan for their Six Nations opener against England on Saturday.

Harlequins star Marcus Smith has win the race for the 10 jersey. The midfield sees Exeter Chiefs' Henry Slade named at inside centre with Bath's Ollie Lawrence at 13. In the back three, Cadan Murley will make his England debut on the left wing, with Tommy Freeman on the right and Freddie Steward at full-back, rounding off the starting line-up.

Maro Itoje says England are "ready to go" as they bid to upset the odds by launching their Six Nations campaign with a defeat of twice defending champions Ireland in Dublin. But they were also the only side to beat Ireland in last year's Six Nations and Itoje believes a new-look England can repeat that Twickenham triumph at Lansdowne Road.