Match Day Programme: England vs. Wales

Wales staked their claim as a potential dark horse going into the world cup, by securing a statement win against england last weekend at the Principality Stadium. Today the Roses will have home ground advantage as they host the Dragons at Twickenham in the return fixtures, with both sides having named their respective world cup squads.  Thank you for joining us, this is Ultimate Rugby Match Day

Fixture: England vs. Wales

Venue: Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, England

Kickoff Time: 17:30 (GMT)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli

Head-to-head Played:

Played: 140

Wales Wins: 61

England Wins: 67

Draws: 12

Points for:

England: 1,891 

Wales: 1,752

Biggest winning margin:

England: 57 (4 August, 2007)

Wales: 27 (13 August, 2022)

Last Meeting: 5 August 2023 - Wales 20-9 England, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

2023 Six Nations Results

England

L 23-29 (h) v England

W 31-14 (h) v Italy

W 10-20 (a) v Wales

L 10-53 (h) v France

L 29-16 (a) v Ireland

Wales

L 10-34 (h) v Ireland

L 35-7 (a) v Scotland

L 20-10 (h) v England

W 17-29 (a) v Italy

L 41-28 (a) France

Team News:

England: Head coach Steve Borthwick makes 11 changes with Owen Farrell returning to captain the side while Billy Vunipola is back; Jonny Hill makes the bench despite not being included in the final 33-man World Cup squad.

Wales: Scarlets centre Joe Roberts will make his Wales debut, while Scarlets loosehead prop Kemsley Mathias and Ospreys centre Keiran Williams will do the same if they come off the bench. Taine Plumtree is rewarded for his impressive cameo off the bench last weekend with the No. 8 starting jersey.

World Rankings Outcome:

England win by 15 points or less – England 81.53, Wales 78.66 England win by more than 15 points – England 81.79, Wales 78.40 Draw – England 80.53, Wales 79.67 Wales win by 15 points or less – England 79.53, Wales 80.67 Wales win by more than 15 points – England 78.79, Wales 81.40

• Wales’ last win over England at Twickenham was the 28-25 win at Rugby World Cup 2015.

• Referee Nika Amashukeli is on the verge of becoming the first Georgian to referee at a Rugby World Cup after being selected on the 12-strong panel for the tournament in France

• Warren Gatland coached Wales from 2008-19, winning the Six Nations title in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2019, three of them with the Grand Slam. He has only one win from five matches in his second spell in charge having been appointed as Wayne Pivac’s successor in December 2022.