Steve Borthwick has spiced up England’s Six Nations line-up by picking both Curry twins to start against Ireland on Saturday.
The pair of flankers, Tom and Ben, are in the XV together for the first time although they were in the 23 for November’s defeat to New Zealand.
That day Ben came on as a second half replacement for his brother meaning they have never been on an international pitch at the same time.
That will all change this weekend in Dublin with the Sale duo both starting as head coach Borthwick shuffles his back row cards but retains Ben Earl at No.8.
The pair become the first male twins to play for England but follow in a long of brothers to play in the same team led most recently by the Vuniopolas, Mako and Billy, and the Youngs, Ben and Tom.
Harlequins wing Cadan Murley will make his international debut on the wing and his club mate Marcus Smith has been confirmed as the starting 10.
Murley, the top try scorer, with 15, in the Premiership in 2022-23 beat off the competition of Ollie Sleightholme and Tom Roebuck for the left wing berth.
As expected, Freddie Steward is in at full-back with a remit to neutralise Ireland’s high ball assault alongside Murley and the other wing Tommy Freeman.
Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence continue their midfield partnership with fit-again Alex Mitchell starting at scrum-half.
Up front Sale hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie will start his first England game since November 2022, with Jame George injured, and Theo Dan part of a 6/2 forwards to backs bench split.
Leicester back row Ollie Chessum is among the replacements having played just 54 minutes since October after a knee injury he suffered in camp in Girona.
Front rowers Fin Baxter and Joe Heyes, Saracens No.8 Tom Willis and Quins back row Chandler Cunningham-South complete a bench short of experience with just 81 caps between them.
Captain Maro Itoje will lead the side from the start of a match for the first time as a crucial Six Nations for Borthwick kicks off with a huge challenge in Dublin against the defending champions.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing the tournament favourites,” said Borthwick.
“We know it’ll be a tough contest against a team that’s very familiar with each other. We’ll need to work tirelessly and maintain our discipline from the first whistle to the last.
“England versus Ireland in Dublin is a huge occasion, and we’ll be ready to face it head-on.”
Team: Freddie Steward; Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Cadan Murley; Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje (capt), George Martin, Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Ben Earl
Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Willis, Harry Randall, Fin Smith
Ireland v England, 4.45pm, Saturday, ITV
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