England interim manager Lee Carsley has named his first starting lineup for the senior side after stepping up from his impressive feats with their Under-21 counterparts.
Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish, who was arguably the most high-profile omission from former manager Gareth Southgate’s squad for Uefa Euro 2024, starts in the Nations League opener for both sides.
Declan Rice – like Grealish, capped by Ireland at youth level before switching allegiances – also starts alongside Anthony Gordon in midfield.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson takes charge of his team for the first time after being appointed as Stephen Kenny’s successor in July.
Your #ThreeLions in Dublin! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uZOhJuEbPv
— England (@England) September 7, 2024
England team news vs Ireland
Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire returns for the visitors having missed Euro 2024 through injury, making up part of a defence containing Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, who was not selected for the finals.
Newcomers to the squad including Angel Gomes, Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke are on the bench.
Wideman Trent Alexander-Arnold starts after helping Liverpool make a perfect start to the Premier League season, including a 3-0 win at United last Sunday.
New Ipswich Town winger Chiedozie Ogbene returns for Ireland after injury, with fellow Tractor Boys signing Sammie Szmodics in attack.
Ireland have won one of their last six matches, although that victory did come in their last home game, beating Hungary 2-1 on June 4.
Their most recent outing was a 3-0 defeat in Portugal on June 11.
STARTING XI | Ireland v England
Jayson Molumby makes his first international start since November 2023 whilst Chiedozie Ogbene returns to the starting line-up after his injury 👌
Kick-off is at 5pm, not long to wait now! 🇮🇪💚 pic.twitter.com/HfZdrw0AZ3
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 7, 2024
England confirmed lineup vs Ireland
Newcastle’s Gordon is given a greater chance to impress after featuring for one minute of England’s Euro tournament, starting in a team captained by Harry Kane.
England starting XI: Pickford, Alexander-Arnold, Maguire, Guehi, Colwill, Mainoo, Rice, Gordon, Grealish, Saka, Kane
Ireland captain Seamus Coleman wins his 73rd cap. The Everton mainstay is part of a defence in front of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Republic of Ireland starting XI: Kelleher, Coleman, Collins, O’Shea, Brady, Doherty, Molumby, Smallbone, Szmodics, Ogbene, Idah