England and Wales have announced their teams for the second of their two tests against one another ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The Welsh are looking to bounce-back
following last weekend’s 33-19 loss to the English and have only made three
changes to starting line-up.
Following Gareth Anscombe’s injury last
Sunday, which has left him out of the World Cup, Dan Biggar has been selected
at fly-half.
Elsewhere, James Davies comes into the
back-row and will play with older brother Jonathan for the first time in a
Welsh jersey.
Jake Ball is the only other change to the side as he joins captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second-row, with the rest of the side remaining the same.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is hoping
that his team will be able to come back after last weeks’ loss and admitted his
squad’s disappointment in the ending of their 14-game winning streak.
“This weekend is another opportunity for us to take the field, test ourselves and continue our preparation for Japan. It is a little over five weeks until we kick off our campaign in Toyota against Georgia and it is important we are fully prepared and rugby-ready by then. We were disappointed to get the loss last weekend so it is important we step it up on Saturday and put in a big display in front of a packed Principality Stadium. The squad are looking forward to getting back out there, taking another step towards the RWC and putting in a big performance,” he said.
The visitors have also made three changes
to their starting XV with Ruaridh McConnochie set for his first start a week
late after being named in the team last weekend before withdrawing through
injury.
There are returns to the line-up for the experienced
duo of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes, meaning that Lewis Ludlam moves to
openside flanker.
There is also plenty of experience on the bench too with Owen Farrell, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler all in line for their first piece of action in the World Cup warm-ups.
England head coach Eddie Jones is looking
forward to the match and insists that there is a strategy in place for the
rotation of players.
“Our selection strategy for our second game is similar to the first, so a bit of a mix-and-match approach. We are looking at different combinations and have a particular strategy for this game. The game is very much about ourselves preparing for the World Cup and we are respectful that we have got such strong opposition at their home ground. We are looking forward to it. The squad has been progressing well this week and I think there is a realisation among the squad now that the hard work really starts, nothing has been achieved,” he said.
The game will be the second test between
the two sides in the past week, with both building momentum ahead of the Rugby
World Cup. There is plenty at stake for both teams with England hoping to defeat
the Six Nations Grand Slam champions in back-to-back games while Wales will be
seeking revenge following last week’s loss to their old rivals.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squads Below.
Wales:
15. Liam Williams (Saracens) (56 Caps)
14. George North (Ospreys) (84 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (74 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (16 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (71
Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (29 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (65 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (41 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (33 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (Ospreys) (126 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (9 Caps)
7. James Davies (Scarlets) (3 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (32 Caps)
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (19 Caps)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (13 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (13 Caps)
19. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (18 Caps)
20. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (16 Caps)
21. Aled Davies (Ospreys) (17 Caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues) (1 Cap)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (14 Caps)
England:
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 31 caps)
14 Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby,
uncapped)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 41 caps)
12 Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 5
caps)
11 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 56 caps)
C
9 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
1 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 12
caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 59 caps)
5 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps)
6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 72
caps)
7 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 42 caps)
Replacements:
16 Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 59 caps)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 33 caps)
20 Jack Singleton (Saracens, 1 cap)
21 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps)
22 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps)
23 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 33 caps)
