Sale’s Manu Tuilagi has returned to the England starting 15 as Eddie Jones named his team to take on Wales on Saturday.
Courtney Lawes comes back in to the team, taking over the captaincy from Tom Curry.
He replaces Maro Itoje, the only change in the back row, on the opposite flank to Curry. Alex Dombrandt is named at Number 8.
Itoje moves back into the second row, partnering Charlie Ewels, as Nick Isiekwe drops to the bench.
Harry Randall starts at scrum half, with Jones persisting with the half-back pairing that started against Italy, as Marcus Smith starts his third consecutive Six Nations game at fly half.
We can’t wait for this one!
Eddie Jones has named his match day squad for #ENGvWAL 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 24, 2022
Henry Slade starts outside Tuilagi in the 13 shirt.
Jones sticks with the same back three that started in the Italy victory, as Freddie Steward, Max Malins and Jack Nowell starting.
There are changes in the front row, as Luke Cowan-Dickie and Kyle Sinkler replace Jamie George and Will Stuart. Ellis Genge keeps the loosehead prop position.
Jones said: “We’ve prepared very well for this game, the squad have really come together on and off the pitch.
“Wales are a good, tough side and Six Nations champions and it will make for an exciting Test match in front of a full Twickenham crowd.
“We’ve got a talented, young, hungry squad who have trained with real intensity this week. We’re ready to go at them and can’t wait to play in front of our supporters again.
“It will also be a special match with two significant milestones for Ben and Kyle. Both have made outstanding contributions to English rugby so far in their careers.
“We congratulate them and we know there is more to come ahead for them.”
Feature Image Credit to George Olcott under Creative Commons
