Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has made a total of four changes to his starting XV for his team’s Six Nations clash with England in Twickenham this Saturday at 16 45.
There are two changes each in the backs and forwards, with Josh Navidi and Rob Evans coming into the pack, while Liam Williams and Tomos Williams come into the back-line.
It is a huge boost for both Liam Williams and Navidi with both set to make their first appearances of 2020 following lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injury.
Elsewhere, it’s as you were from the defeat to France two weeks’ ago meaning Evans links up with Ken Owens and Dillon Lewis in the front-three, while Jake Ball and captain Alun Wyn-Jones once again start in the engine-room.
Ross Moriarty opens at blindside-flanker, with Justin Tipuric again on the openside and Navidi comes straight in to take the No 8 jersey.
Tomos Williams begins the game at scrum-half, with Dan Biggar retained at fly-half, while Hadleigh Parkes and Nick Tompkins continue their partnership in the midfield.
Liam Williams comes in on the left-wing, with George North recovering from injury to take a spot on the right and Leigh Halfpenny finishes up an experienced back-three from full-back.
There is a mix of youth and experience on the bench with the likes of Rhys Carre and Johnny McNicholl joining Taulupe Faletau and Rhys Webb among the replacements.
Speaking ahead of the game Pivac is hoping to bounce back from the loss to France and is delighted to have some key men returning to full-fitness.
“We’ve had a good two weeks and we are really excited about heading up to Twickenham for what will be a huge Six Nations clash. We have had the chance to put the disappointments of the loss to France behind us and we know heading to London we need to be more clinical in attack and convert the opportunities that we are creating. Liam’s return to full fitness is positive after the loss of Josh (Adams), as is the return of Josh Navidi. We have been targeting this game for both of their returns and they have trained really well so it’s a great opportunity for them on Saturday,” he said.
Wales will be hoping to ensure they don’t fall to a third successive defeat in this year’s tournament when they head to their old rivals, but they will be coming up against a tough England team that are looking to keep their championship title hopes alive.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
15. Leigh Halfpenny (88 Caps)
14. George North (94 Caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (3 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (28 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (62 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (82 Caps)
9. Tomos Williams (19 Caps)
1. Rob Evans (38 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (65 Caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (25 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (45 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (137 Caps)
6. Ross Moriarty (44 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (75 Caps)
8. Josh Navidi (23 Caps)
Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias (12 Caps)
17. Rhys Carre (7 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (9 Caps)
19. Aaron Shingler (26 Caps)
20. Taulupe Faletau (75 Caps)
21. Rhys Webb (32 Caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (6 Caps)
23. Johnny McNicholl (3 Caps)
