England head coach Eddie Jones has made two changes to his starting line-up for his side’s Six Nations game with Wales this Saturday in Twickenham at 16 45.
One of those changes has been forced upon him with flanker Sam Underhill missing due to an unspecified injury and is replaced by Mark Wilson.
While the only other alteration to the team that defeated Ireland two weeks’ ago sees a fit again Anthony Watson return to the wing in place of Jonathan Joseph, who drops out of the squad.
Elsewhere, it’s as you were last time out with Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler either side of Jamie George in the front-row, with Maro Itoje and George Kruis slotting in behind them in the second-row.
Courtney Lawes retains his place as blindside-flanker, with Wilson on the openside and Tom Curry continues at No 8.
Ben Youngs and George Ford make up the half-back pairing, and they have captain Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi outside them in the centre positions.
Jonny May switches to the left-wing to accommodate Watson on the right and Elliot Daly opens the game from full-back once again.
On the bench Jones has again gone with a six-two forwards to backs split with the likes of Luke Cowan-Dickie and Joe Launchbury joining the only backs in the substitutes Willi Heinz and Henry Slade among the replacements.
Speaking ahead of the game Jones has noted how Wales are a team in progress and expects a tough test.
“Wales are a very tough, well-coached side and they’ve been building on their attack since Wayne Pivac has taken over. It’s always a tough game against Wales and we know they will bring that toughness to all the contest areas. We’re looking forward to playing at home again and getting back out in front of our fantastic fans,” he said.
England know a win will keep them in the hunt for the title, but also that this will be their final game of the tournament for now as they wait for confirmation of a date for their postponed fixture with Italy. While Wales will be hoping to get one over on their old rivals following two defeats in a row.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 42 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 42 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 82 caps) C
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 68 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 98 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 70 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 48 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 34 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 37 caps)
5 George Kruis (Saracens, 44 caps)
6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 84 caps)
7 Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks, 18 caps)
8 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 22 caps)
Replacements:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps)
17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
19 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 64 caps)
20 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 14 caps)
21 Ben Earl (Saracens, 2 caps)
22 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 12 caps)
23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps)
