Six Nations Preview: Wales vs England

Six Nations Preview: Wales vs England

England travel to Wales on Saturday hoping to end a six-year wait for a win in Cardiff.



Having kickstarted their campaign with a bonus-point win against Italy, another positive result at Principality Stadium would have them firmly in the race for the Championship.



Meanwhile, Wales boss Warren Gatland is looking for the first triumph of his second spell in charge following defeats to Ireland and Scotland.



Gatland’s opposite number Steve Borthwick captained England to victory over Wales in 2010 and the former second is now hoping to repeat the feat for the first time as head coach.

But England have not travelled well to the Welsh capital in recent times, winning on just two occasions since 2011.

       
       

TEAM NEWS

Debutant Mason Grady headlines the nine changes made by Wales boss Warren Gatland.

The 20-year-old partners Joe Hawkins in the centres, who himself holds just four caps, while 31-year-old Owen Williams makes his first Test start at fly-half.




On the wing, Louis Rees-Zammit has returned from injury to start having scored as a replacement on his return for club side Gloucester.



There is a wealth of experience elsewhere with Leigh Halfpenny also returning from a knock to start, while there are recalls for Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau and record appearance holder Alun Wyn Jones.

The final changes come in the front row, with a double alteration at prop as Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis replace Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis.

There is no place in the matchday 23 for George North, Jac Morgan, Rio Dyer and Rhys Webb, while Dan Biggar has to settle for a spot among the replacements.

England, meanwhile, have made just the one change to their side, with Anthony Watson returning to the wing in place of the injured Ollie Hassell-Collins.



Courtney Lawes is in line to make his first international start of the season as an impact player. Ben Curry has also returned to the squad having been left out of Steve Borthwick’s side for their win over Italy.

STAT ATTACK

- England have won seven of their last nine meetings with Wales in the Guinness Six Nations (L2), however each of their last six victories in that run have come by margins of six points or fewer.

- Wales have not lost their opening three matches in a Six Nations tournament since 2007.

- 2017 was the last time England defeated Wales in Cardiff during the Six Nations.

- England (9/9) and Wales (6/6) are two of the three teams to record a 100% scrum success rate in the Guinness Six Nations this year (also France 3/3), while only Scotland (97%) have recorded a better lineout success rate than England (95%).

- Wales and England have played each other 138 times. England have won 66 of the encounters and Wales have been victorious 60 times, 12 matches were draws.

Wales team to face England: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Josh Adams, 13. Mason Grady, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Louis Rees-Zammit, 10. Owen Williams, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Christ Tshiunza, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: 16. Bradley Roberts, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Dafydd Jenkins, 20. Tommy Reffell, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Dan Biggar, 23. Nick Tompkins

England team to face Wales: 15. Freddie Steward, 14. Max Malins, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Ollie Lawrence, 11. Anthony Watson, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Jack van Poortvliet, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Lewis Ludlam, 7. Jack Willis, 8. Alex Dombrandt.

Replacements: 16. Jack Walker, 17. Mako Vunipola, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Courtney Lawes, 20. Ben Curry, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Henry Arundell

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