England vs Wales is never a boring or meaningless fixture, as many have been pointing out this week in the face of criticism from certain parts that this “Old Mutual Wealth Cup” is nothing more than a money-spinning exercise. While that may certainly be part of it, we are still in for what should be an entertaining game at Twickenham.
With the Premiership final the day before, England are without players from their top two club sides Saracens and Exeter. Wales have a full compliment of players to choose from, and having tasted defeat at Twickenham in the Six Nations they name a strong team with a view to making amends.
In truth, the Old Mutual Wealth Cup won’t mean a great deal to either side. But getting one over their fiercest rivals will. And in a broader sense, it is an opportunity to kick-off a summer that sees both sides face very difficult trips to the Southern Hemisphere. Arriving in either Australia or New Zealand on a loss is a prospect that will enthuse neither camp.
ENGLAND
The headline inclusion for England is Teimana Harrison in the number six shirt. The Northampton utility forward has had a stellar season and displaces Chris Robshaw – who, by all accounts, is available but conspicuously absent from the squad. Jack Clifford makes his first start at number eight and James Haskell completes a hugely mobile back-row. Clifford and Harrison will be a very tempting combination to Jones on the hard tracks of Australia, too.
Elsewhere, Luther Burrell fills the void in the midfield left by Manu Tuilagi’s injury and Ben Te’o’s Leinster duty. It also suggests he will be looking at a physical option in that 12 shirt from now on, given Ollie Devoto remains on the bench. Devoto is one of three potential debutants on the timber, along with Tommy Taylor and the sensation that is Ellis Genge.
All in all it is a strong team, despite the Premiership final absentees. Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes were, before the emergence of Krutoje, England’s premier locking combo, while Ben Youngs, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson and Mike Brown are all stalwarts of the back-line in the last couple of seasons. With Jones speaking positively of him recently, Marland Yarde must take the opportunity to impress too.
WALES
Wales have no absentees to club duty and their line-up feels the more settled. That said, the absence of captain Sam Warburton will hit them hard. With Justin Tipuric also injured, the number seven shirt (and camptain’s armband) is intriguingly handed to Dan Lydiate. In a back-row that also includes Ross Moriarty and Taulupe Faletau there will be no shortage of powerful ball-carrying, but their influence at the breakdown could suffer.
The settled front row of Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee should anchor the scrum to good effect, while the ballast of Jake Ball will partner Alun Wyn Jones in the engine room.
The backline sees Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar continue their Ospreys partnership in the half-backs, while the directness of Jamie Roberts is complimented by the more nuanced running lines of Scott Williams. Hallam Amos’ livewire running presents a threat on one flank, while George North and Liam Williams complete a very dangerous back three.
Head to head: George Ford vs Dan Biggar
Both fly-halves need to have a big game in the wake of some fairly iffy form during the Six Nations. Ford has looked shorn of the confidence that made him such a threat last season, playing in a Bath back-line that has second guessed itself a lot this year. Biggar, meanwhile, proved his excellence as a tactical kicker once again, but has been unable to shake accusations that he can’t ignite a back-line. With so much talent outside him this weekend, there can be no excuses.
PREDICTION
This is never an easy fixture to call, but this instalment of it seems even more difficult to predict than usual. The absence of England’s Saracens contingent – the backbone of the side – will undoubtedly hurt them, but then they do have home advantage.
Given that it is a friendly and the weather forecast is good, you can expect it to be a relatively open game. England’s team – especially the make-up of their back-row – just looks slightly better set up for that sort of game. Allied with home advantage, it makes them just about favourites. England by 5.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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I’d certainly take that score. But favourites? Is that not a bit of a sleight on a near full strength Wales side?
Certainly England will learn a lot more new with an eye to the future than will Wales. How that replicates itself on the score I’m not sure. Myself, I’d tend to make Wales favourite simply because we know how they will play (effectively but boring) and that the Welsh ethos seems to be win at all costs with no element of development? I know that’s probably poking a stick in a hornets nest but it is something the Welsh RFU should address going forward.
I had Wales by 5 but I would be much happier with your prediction. Ford needs a big, big game. He’s on the plane but should lose his shirt to Farrell.
The big question will be who starts at 12, Teo or Slade. Slade could be a fantastic prospect alongside either Farrell or Ford but Teo is indeed a wrecking ball.
Thoughts for the tour?
I’d love to see Slade at 12 but I don’t think it’s the Jones way. He seems to favour a heavy-hitter at 12, and to be honest a Farrell-Slade-Joseph/Daly midfield does look a little lightweight.
Personally I’m a great believer in having my Bosher at 13. Hit through the centre wing channel, force flankers to travel further to make breakdowns and look to a big hitter forward (Itoje, Vunipola ) bust a gut to take second phase on a wing/full back.
Finally someone who sees the bosher at 13 the way I do, playing 13 defensively is the most difficult position on the field so why not make it harder by playing a huge and creative player like Te’o at 13
Always prefer a bosher at 12 personally. Helps tie in flankers close to rucks creating space for the quick lads outside
Particularly useful if you’re against a rapid flanker like Hooper. Give him a chance to attack backs at a breakdown out wide without any forwards to turf him off the ball, and he’ll turn it over almost every time
And in defense you’ve then got a bigger defender to counter the opposition big men and at 13, someone nippier to counter oppo fullbacks and wingers
But each to their own
I agree that it looks a little on the small side and I would understand starting with Teo with JJ with Slade to cover 10/12/13.
Looking at the Oz backs I think Watson and Nowel could have a very good campaign as we can’t honestly say they are the quickest around. Save Israel fallou (sorry about the spelling)
I believe that Jones wanted Slade and Tuilagi as his 12 options for the 6N before they were both ruled out.
Btw I wouldn’t say it was a full strength Welsh side – isn’t J Davies missing because of Clermont duty, Charteris with Racing and I would imagine Francis would be on the bench but he’s with Exeter? I know this isn’t as drastic as losing Itoje, Kruis, Vunipola x 2, George, Farrell, Nowell and Slade – but allied to injured Warburton and Tipuric, they (Charteris is particular) will still be keenly missed.
Really hoping to see what Slade can do at 12 in Aus. I thought he made Burgess (remember him?) look good in the WC warm ups (at 13) and I’d like to see him tried with Daly. A MT-JJ partnership has balance in terms of bosher-speedster but we should also try having a playmaker at 12 to add to the options. A MT-HS midfield (with the two centres alternating if necessary is also nicely balanced. Will be interesting to see if Te’o can fill MT’s boots on Sunday though.
I’ve put £10 on Wales beating England… Gats and the team have a point to prove at Twickenham, plus want a good start to their campaign before heading to NZ…. I hopewe can beat England by at least 4pts…. But from past experience every recent England vs Wales game has completely been a game of 2 very different halves… Come on Wales!!!!!