Ireland vs England LIVE: Lionesses latest score and goal updates from Euro 2025 qualifier in Dublin as Leah Williamson starts

But it is Ireland who have the first attack in earnest, Kyra Carusa earning a corner from Jess Carter having attempted to cross.

Huge cheers for Katie McCabe as she trots across to take. The home captain swings it in from the right with her left foot, but Hannah Hampton stands tall to claim on the edge of her six-yard box.

The hosts go direct immediately, an angled ball forward contested for by Leah Williamson and Kyra Carusa, both women falling to the floor but the ball bobbling England’s way. The Lionesses settle into possession for the first time and bid to mount an attack.

Kyra Carusa gets things underway in Dublin.

Here we go then, the Republic of Ireland in green, England in white, a darkening blue sky overhead.

It’s nearly 40 years since these two last met, an improbable gap between fixtures. Can Ireland cause a shock? Out the players come in their anthem jackets on a relatively chilly evening in Dublin.

There will be no goalline technology or VAR in operation tonight. The experienced Lina Lehtovaara of Finland, who was part of the officiating team at last year’s World Cup, is the referee.

“It’s not down to an injury,” Wiegman confirms of Hannah Hampton’s selection ahead of Mary Earps. “We are in a luxury position of having two incredible goalkeepers. Hannah is doing a great job with Chelsea and has grown into a competition with Mary. This is a moment for her to shine.

“It’s really good to have Leah back as a leader, it’s great for her and the team. Hopefully she will enjoy.

“We think Ireland will drop deeper and the spaces will be small. Jess Park is good in tight space and we’ll play a lot higher with our midfield. It’s a good opportunity for them.”

A significant moment for the England captain as she makes a long-awaited return to the Lionesses starting side.

It was a relatively lonely night for Kyra Carusa in Metz last week, the striker an isolated figure leading the line for Ireland against France. Now playing in the NWSL with her hometown San Diego Wave after a short stint with the London City Lionesses last year, Carusa has the ability to cause England real problems, and should have more support with a slightly tweaked Irish system behind her.

There are plenty within the game that think it may not be too long before Hananh Hampton unseats Mary Earps as England’s number one, which would have been close to unthinkable after last summer’s World Cup. But Hampton’s outstanding Women’s Super League form for Chelsea is proving tougher and tougher to ignore, and she’s got youth on her side. Can she take her opportunity tonight?