England and Wales have named their teams for their opening World Cup warm-up game at Twickenham this Sunday.
With the World Cup just around the corner neither team has held back and have both confirmed strong starting line-ups.
The hosts start the game with a front-row of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Dan Cole, with Joe Launchbury and Charlie Ewels just behind them in the second-row.
Tom Curry comes in at blind-side flanker, alongside Sam Underhill who is one of two vice-captains in the team, while Billy Vunipola completes the pack from No 8.
Willi Heinz partners George Ford in the half-backs, and have been named vice-captain and captain respectively, with Heinz also making his debut.
Piers Francis and Henry Slade team-up in the centre, with Anthony Watson making his first test start since March 2018 on the left-wing. Ruaridh McConnochie debuts on the right-wing as Elliot Daly comes in at full-back.
Speaking ahead of the game England head coach Eddie Jones is hoping that over the next few weeks his team will develop and set themselves up to win the World Cup.
“Our team selection and tactics in our next four games are all about developing a team capable of winning in Japan and our overarching target of being ready when we get on the plane on the 8th of September to win the World Cup. We are looking forward to playing at Twickenham and giving the home crowd something to smile about,” he said.
Meanwhile Wales have named a star-studded team as they bid to win their 15th consecutive test match.
Nicky Smith, Ken Owen and Tomas Francis open the game in the front-three, with Adam Beard joining captain Alun Wyn Jones in the engine room as he is also set to become Wales’ all-time cap holder on Sunday.
In the back-row Aaron Wainwright starting at blind-side flanker, with Justin Tipuric at open-side flanker and Ross Moriarty at No 8.
Gareth Davies and Gareth Anscombe link-up once more in the half-backs, with Hadleigh Parkes partnering Jonathan Davies in the centre, while Josh Adams and George North occupy the wings, with Liam Williams completing the starting XV from full-back.
The team’s will meet again before they head to the World Cup, however, England name their final 31-man squad on Monday meaning this is the final chance to impress for the men in white as both look to build momentum ahead of the tournament in Japan.
Check Out Both 23-Man Squads Below.
England:
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 30 caps)
14 Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby,
uncapped)
13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
12 Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 4
caps)
11 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps)
C
9 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
VC
1 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 11
caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 58 caps)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 10 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 9 caps) VC
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 41 caps)
Replacements:
16 Jack Singleton (Saracens, uncapped)
17 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 59 caps)
18 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
19 George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps)
20 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints,
uncapped)
21 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)
22 Joe Marchant (Harlequins, uncapped)
23 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
Wales:
15. Liam Williams (Saracens) (55 Caps)
14. George North (Ospreys) (83 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (73 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (15 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (10 Caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys) (26 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (41 Caps)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (28 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (64 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (40 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys) (13 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (Ospreys) (125 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (8 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (64 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (31 Caps)
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (18 Caps)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (12 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (12 Caps)
19. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (32 Caps)
20. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (17 Caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) (7 Caps)
22. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (70
Caps)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (13 Caps)
