Heimir Hallgrimsson and Lee Carsley have picked their teams for this evening’s massive UEFA Nations League tie between Ireland and England.
It is not only the first game in the job for both Hallgrimsson and Carsley but also the first competitive meeting of these countries since 1991.
On the Irish side, the great unknown surrounded the fitness of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, who has not played since March. The 19-year-old has been named [on the bench/in the starting XI].
The big question regarding England was whether Declan Rice and Jack Grealish would be put in front of what is expected to be a hostile Irish crowd in Dublin – both men start for Carsley’s England.
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Ireland v England: Team news in for crunch Aviva clash
Saturday evening’s game against England should give us a better idea of what kind of football we can expect from Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland team.
His first team selection is in.
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
Caoimhín Kelleher starts in goal, while right-back Seamus Coleman captains the side. There is a significant Ipswich presence in the team, with Dara O’Shea, Chiedozie Ogbene, and Sammie Szmodics all starting.
Corkman Idah has scored twice in his last five appearances for Ireland, including the opener in June’s win over Hungary in Dublin.
Robbie Brady is also named in the team with Evan Ferguson on the bench.
On the English side, both Declan Rice and Jack Grealish start in an injury-hit lineup.
Your #ThreeLions in Dublin! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uZOhJuEbPv
— England (@England) September 7, 2024
Much of the buildup has centred on the presence of Rice and Grealish in the England camp, with Rice having played three senior games for Ireland and Grealish having represented the Boys in Green up to U21 level.
Rice starts alongside Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, while Grealish comes into the attack largely due to injury problems befalling Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham.
This is England’s first game since defeat in the EURO 2024 final to Spain. Only six of the players who started that decider in Berlin are in Lee Carsley’s first XI.
Harry Kane captains the side in Dublin, while Jordan Pickford, Marc Guehi, Bukayo Saka, Kobbie Mainoo and Rice all survive from the EUROs final.
Levi Colwill starts in defence, with Manchester United’s Harry Maguire returning to the team after injury ruled him out of the European Championships.
It’s a historic occasion on Lansdowne Road, and kick-off is fast approaching. The UEFA Nations League clash between Ireland and England gets underway at 5pm.
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