Warren Gatland has announced the Wales team that will take on England at Twickenham on Sunday.
Dan Lydiate will captain the side in the number seven shirt in the absence of Sam Warburton, and is joined in the back-row by Ross Moriarty and the ever present Taulupe Faletau.
Hallam Amos takes one of the wing spots, with George North and Liam Williams completing an exciting back three. Jake Ball partners Alun Wyn Jones in the engine room.
“When you look at the summer series ahead, this is a really important match for the squad,” said Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland.
“When looking at previous summer tours and planning for New Zealand, we felt we needed greater preparation to prepare us for the step up in intensity and the match against England will provide that for us.
“It will be an important hit-out for both teams and as ever it will be an important Test match as it’s England v Wales at Twickenham.
“There is a lot of continuity in our squad and a great amount of experience and that is going to be vital over the next five weeks.
“Dan led us exceptionally well in our last match so deserves to continue with those duties this weekend.”
WALES TEAM TO PLAY ENGLAND:
Liam Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Dan Lydiate (Capt – Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), James King (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues).
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Never been less excited by an Eng/Wal rugby match. The WRU really are strangling the golden egg, never thought I’d feel this disaffected. It’s just too much. We’ve already played 2 huge games against them this season and now this stupid, meaningless “friendly”. Very well named as the “mutual wealth cup” as that is all this match is about.
As for the team … well, nice to see Williams, Amos and Moriarty. Chuffed to see Turnbull after an excellent season for Cardiff but that’s tinged by it being for a stupid match.
Someone to win the match by 15, rugby dies a little more, we’ll lose at least 2 players from the summer tour.
Tend to agree brighty especially as there is a cracking match in store on Saturday. Your point about it costing players their chance to tour through injury is well made. I remember well in my playing days that it was always the matches when you were praying not to be injured (wedding/holiday/etc the next day) when it inevitably happened. Maybe not playing at your normal intensity? Who knows, Even if it’s just sod’s law it still makes this game a potential minefield
Looking at the 2 selections, is this a rare case of England being superior in the breakdown dept?
From an English perspective I cannot say that I overly fussed about the result, or even the fact that the game exists at all.
However, as we have it, I am excited by seeing some of the newbies in the back row and from the bench.
Given that we are used to Warburton and/or Tipuric, its an interesting choice in the back row for Wales – is there an openside on the bench?
I agree with Blub on this. I can’t see that the result matters too much to either team although probably more of a downer to the Welsh if they lose. From an English perspective I think this is just a ‘development’ game and should probably be uncapped.
Doesn’t matter?
Tell that to whichever side triumphs, winning them points for world rankings and bragging rights.
Tell that to players getting their first caps and to Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland.
Tell that to the near sold out crowd going to watch.
Doesn’t matter. What a laugh that is.
I think the point EC, is that it doesn’t matter to us (not you of course, just us 5 who have commented so).
I really hope that it does matter to those individuals you mention, but I bet that it doesn’t matter as much as the RWC or 6N games meant to EJ and WG – irrespective of what they may say.