DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast will start his first Six Nations game in Saturday's opener against England and marshal an almost full strength side as the holders bid to win a third successive title for the first time.

The Leinster youngster beats out Jack Crowley in the battle for the fly half shirt as Ireland begin their bid for an unprecedented three-peat

Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast will start his first Six Nations game in Saturday's opener against England and marshal an almost full strength side as the holders bid to win a third successive title for the first time.

British and Irish Lions prop Tadhg Furlong will miss Ireland's Six Nations opener against England on Saturday because of injury.

IRELAND TIGHTHEAD PROP Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England in Dublin due to a recurrence of his calf injury. Connacht’s uncapped Jack Aungier has been called up to the Ireland senior squad for the first time in place of Furlong.

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations opener against England after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in training, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said on Sunday.