Ireland got off to a five-point start to its bid for an unprecedented third straight outright Six Nations rugby title, overpowering England in a second-half recovery to rack up a 27-22 victory in Dublin on Saturday.

The biggest game of the opening weekend of the Six Nations sees England travel to Dublin to take on Ireland in a true heavyweight clash. Both sides will need a win to keep pace with the red-hot France, who demolished Wales yesterday. Kick-off is at 5:45am NZT.

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.