Arsenal prodigy Declan Rice to make England debut on emotional return to Ireland

Rice has been selected to be part of Carsley's squad for England's upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. The team will face off against Finland at Wembley Stadium on September 10th.

The game kicks off a new era for both teams, with Carsley appointed as Gareth Southgate's interim replacement until the end of 2024, and Icelandic coach Heimir Halgrimsson taking charge of the Republic.

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However, alongside the fierce historic rivalry between the two sides, this clash has special significance for Rice.

The 25-year-old infamously caused major controversy in 2019, as he swapped international allegiance from the Boys in Green to England, after playing three times for the Irish.

Rice's decision fell within a FIFA loophole as Southgate admitted the English FA made an active move to persuade him to change his stance.

The eventual decision caused anger amongst sections of the Irish support, based on Rice's previous denial of any interest in playing for England, before going on to win 58 caps for the Three Lions.

Rice was an unused substitute as England beat Ireland 3-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Wembley during the Covid-19 pandemic but this is first trip to Dublin since 2019.

That victory for England ended a winless streak against the Irish stretching back across seven games to 1985 and they have not beaten their neighbours in a competitive game since 1980.

Despite the potential for Rice coming in for some rough treatment from the home fans, Carsley will stick with him as a starter, in a largely unchanged starting line up, as he looks for a positive start in his case to take the job permanently.