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| Venue of events: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Saturday November 28 Kick off: 16:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Listen to the commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and follow the text live on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Fly-half George Ford returns to starting XV for England’s Fall Nations Cup match with Wales at Llanelli on Saturday.
Captain Owen Farrell switches to inside center with Henry Slade in midfield.
The initial front pack has not changed since 18-7 victory against Ireland.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, wing Jack Willis and back Anthony Watson are among the replacements for the Group A game.
England are undefeated in the Fall Nations Cup thus far, with victory over Ireland following a Defeat Georgia 40-0.
The victory against Wales would ensure that England finish at the top of Group A, meaning they would compete for the title against the winner of Group B on December 6.
France will emerge victorious in the other group if they beat Italy on Saturday.
“We look forward to another tough game and at the home of Welsh rugby, where the heart and soul of their game is,” said head coach Eddie Jones.
Ford returned from an injury from the bench against the Irish and is now back to his starting position with Ollie Lawrence’s hip problem, warranting the need for a baseline shakeup.
“We have chosen the best 23 players for the battle and we are looking forward to it,” added Jones.
“Twelve months ago, Wales were Grand Slam champions and three points from a World Cup final, so we know what they are capable of.”
Earl trains with backs like six named forwards on the bench
Cowan-Dickie and Watson return to the team of the day after injury, while Willis, who made his debut against Georgia, is remembered after losing to Ireland.
Ben Earl is also named on the bench, with Jones opting for a six-front and two-back division.
The Bristol wing revealed on Tuesday that he had been training as a winger in case he needed to cover that area.
“I’m obviously a winger first and foremost, but a little versatility doesn’t hurt and I’m happy to do whatever work is required of me,” Earl said.
“At the end of the day, tackling is tackling, running with the ball is running with the ball, and rucking is rucking.
“If anything, you get a little more open space in the rear, so it’s something to get excited about.”
Jones says naming initial XV is ‘archaic’
Jones said he felt his forward bench had the “right balance in terms of having the strongest team in the final 20 minutes of the game.”
But England’s head coach questioned why he should name his XV starters days before the game and suggested a different system for the future.
“It’s a 23-man team,” he said.
“The rule of naming a starting XV and a final eight is quite archaic and we should be able to name a team of 23 and choose the day who starts and who ends.
“It would add a little more drama to the game. Two hours before kickoff, the team tokens are provided and then you know who you’re playing against.”
England will face Wales
England: Daly; Joseph, Slade, Farrell, May; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Launchbury, Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Hill, Earl, Willis, Robson, Watson.
- This weekend, watch 13 FA Cup second round matches on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app. Find out more here.
