Warren Gatland has named the Wales team to take on England in the hotly anticipated Six Nations fixture at Twickenham this weekend.
The starting XV is unchanged from the side that doggedly beat France at home in round three, but there are three changes to the bench. Rhys Webb returns to the squad for the first time since before the World Cup, while Luke Charteris also returns after missing the France game.
There is worse news regarding Gethin Jenkins, however, with the veteran tighthead prop failing to recover in time from a calf injury.
“We’ve named a pretty experienced side for Saturday, no changes in the starting team, I thought they did pretty well against France and we are looking for them to do a job for us this weekend,” said Head Coach Warren Gatland.
“We have a couple of guys back from injury on the bench, Luke Charteris, Paul James and Rhys Webb and that is a bonus. There is a huge amount to play for on Saturday and it will go a long way to deciding the Six Nations.
“We are happy with the blend of our side. We have a very experienced back five in the pack, blended with the youth up from and that balance is really pleasing.
“It’s great to have Rhys back in the squad. He has been training really hard and brings a lot of energy and experience to the team.”
WALES TEAM TO PLAY ENGLAND
Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues).
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
41 replies on “Six Nations 2016: Wales team to play England”
It’s the team everyone knew he would pick. There was interwebs concern about Jamie Roberts yesterday but that seems to have come to nothing.
Very strong side. I think England have the edge in the tight 5. But Wales back 3 is def stronger.
Webb coming back for Wales is a massive plus. They now have 2 excellent no 9’s
Definitely good news about Webb for Wales and even better about Charteris – although for me if he’s fit he should be starting
Not sure I agree with you about the back three. If I were to rank the wingers it would go:
North (just in first place – more on historical performances than current form)
Nowell
Watson
and then so far below those 3 that he’s barely on the same page
Cuthbert
Liam Williams and Mike Brown – although I like Williams and think he should follow his attacking instincts much more than he seems to have done in the last couple of games, I’d still take Brown as he’s just so solid at the back and I can imagine that’s going to be necessary on Sat,
BTW – is it just me or is this announcement quite early?
Yeah, starting line-up for Saturday games is usually Weds. Probably some complex Gatland mind game that no-one else understands…
Expect England to win ugly by 5. Then f*ck it all up to an inexplicably good French side next weekend 🙁
Sorry I meant back 3 as in the forwards ;). Yeah I think England’s back 3 as in backs are stronger. I do not rate Cuthbert at all. North is class, but not fully back to form yet.
But Wales 9,10,12,13. Are more settled, if Tuilagi comes it there won’t be a strength issue hahaha. But it is whether he can last or not.
Brown though not the player of last year, is a class act and I would have him over Williams. Though give Williams time and he will be very good. Will be interesting to see him going up against Watson in a few years time. As think they will be two fullbacks in a few years time.
Ah. Apologies. Yes Wales have the edge in the backrow, so long as Lydiate can use his arms in the tackle for once and avoid getting sent off…
Am hoping that Lydiate and Warburton will be tied up dealing with BV leaving some space elsewhere – but that also relies on England stopping them from nicking the ball
Agreed on Watson and Williams – both have their potential to be superb fullbacks – Williams ahead at the moment
Wales have a better balance in the back row for sure. I think Itoje could make the difference in carrying.
Billy V is a monster though. He makes his cousin Faletau look small lol
I think Williams is a only ahead as he plays the more. Watson is excellent under the high ball. So I think he will def be the future for England there.
Bringing out all the cliches on this one, either side could win on the day. Wales edge it with experience plus a tried and tested game plan. Home advantage for England…though the away side has won the last two encounters. Saying that, I would still be massively disappointed if England were to lose.
Either way it will be a close, intense affair. Can vunipola have the same impact? I doubt it as lydiate and war button will look to chop him down and steel the ball. England can’t just rely on him to get ground. I worry about Roberts running at Farrell, esp if Wales get quick attacking turnover ball. I would probably have been more worried of tipuroc had started.
Looking forward to it. Nervous as hell already.
Pablito, no analysis on the height and weight of the Wales backs in comparison to the potential English selection? Surely Manu would be in your starting XV even though if selected at inside centre he would give away a few inches in height to Jamie Roberts?
There’s a small matter of Roberts being a far, far superior rugby player; I still hope that counts for at least something! That’s why he’s been the Lions inside centre for five out of the last six games, was man of the series in S.Africa, and scored the clinching try in Oz. Tuilagi is still – mainly because of injury – in the ‘promising’ class, though he did have a good game against NZ back in – 2012 was it? Great potential though.
Yeah Tuilagi would have a few extra pounds 😉
You’re such a wit Santiago! The humour never stops with you does it?
I should just ignore you but anyway – there’s no point in looking at the Wales centres vs the English. There’s no surprise there. Roberts will run at Farrell and Ford every chance he gets. Let’s hope Farrell can improve on his 66% tackle success rate from Ireland as Wales are a different prospect altogether.
And if we end up playing anything more than a small proportion of the match with Ford, Daly, Joseph then we are quite likely to have some problems.
I’d be starting Tuilagi if he was properly test match fit, which I don’t think he is. I’d still be tempted to have him on the bench in place of Goode though
Taliesin – no question that Roberts is the better player currently. Tuilagi still has time though. He’s scored the same number of international tries as Roberts but has 55 less caps and is five or so years younger.
Agree. A bench retaining Daly and Manu replacing Goode feels better (providing that Eddie Jones persists with the Ford / Farrell axis).
I reckon Manu’s return merits a bench place at least. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him start given EJ’s comments about him. I have to admit it seems a bit early but the Ford-Farrell axis has only ever been stopgap and Manu’s not new to big games. I’d assume that Manu at 12 means Farrell at 10 and Ford on the bench with Daly. A MT-JJ centre partnership has a good feel to it and a little more attacking edge than Barritt-Burgess!
Agree with Pablito, if Charteris is fit he should be starting, his input at the line-out & the defending the rolling maul is far superior to Bradley Davies, plus Davies is a better impact player to come on imho. Obviously size counts as far as Gatland is concerned, otherwise why is Cuthbert still in ? would have preferred to see Amos given a chance, at least from the bench …..
I thought the same thing. I would have Charteris over Davies. As an England fan though it is the right choice hahaha.
I do think this is one of the areas where England are stronger. Maybe not in experience though.
Anyone know if Launchbury is likely to be fit?
I believe he is meant to be. Its whether they want to stick with Itoje who played so well with Kruis last time. I think though Itoje from the bench would be more beneficial though. What a player he is going to be and to be fair is already. But I think Launchberry’s bulk early on is the way to go.
I would quite like to see Itoje at 6 providing a bit more pace to our lumbering backrow
See this is where I am unsure. I like Itoje. But people do not give Robshaw the credit for the work he does. Maybe Itoje could play 7. As they reckon he is a good pilferer.
Speaking of the Welsh backs has anyone noticed how ‘soccer’ some of them are? Notably messrs Williams, Davies and Cuthbert. I think Davies is a class player when he gets it right however I always notice how much gesturing, shouting and play-acting they aim towards the referee. I find Williams particularly annoying in this regard and also the fact that he refers to himself as the ‘disposal expert’ or ‘professional bomb defuser’.
Well that came out of left field Santiago… To answer your question, no, nobody else has noticed them being “soccer”. Dribble.
Hmmm, saying stuff like that about the guy who’s playing opposite Mike Brown is a bit pot kettle Santiago!
Although to be fair to Mr Angry he rarely directs his rage at the officials, just anyone else unfortunate enough to be in screaming range. Still pick him over Goode though.
While I think there is too much riding on this for it to become a grudge match, the weather’s looking dry on Saturday so there’s still the possibility of it descending into a card fest and absolute chaos!
brighty, take a closer look on Saturday if still nothing I will provide examples following the match. I recall from memory very early on during Wales France, Williams and Medard were going for a grubber kick that I think Biggar put towards the French line. Medard quite clearly touched it fairly for the 22 drop and Williams runs back towards Wayne Barnes gesticulating that Medard had deliberately knocked it out of bounds on purpose. I realise that in recent years actions of this nature have crept into the game, I am simply of the opinion that some of the current Welsh backs seem more guilty of this kind of antics than other players from other sides.
“I am simply of the opinion that some of the current Welsh backs seem more guilty of this kind of antics than other players from other sides.”
And that’s the hilarious part of your email – this’ll be while watching a team with Farrel in, right? Anyway, enjoy taking those notes during the match. I’m sure you’ll see it being done by who you want to see, a kind of reinforcing limiting belief I suppose. I would advise that it’s unlikely that you will enlighten me with what you find, given you’ve already made up your mind on who the worst protagonists are, so it may not be worth your time. Always understand who’s writing something and why – and yes, I fully understand the circular ironic avenue I now find myself at.
I think this is a blight that is creeping into all sides, sadly. Farrell and Brown are good calls for England, and I think I recall the ref warning Sexton over his conduct and language. Whatever happened to marching a team back 10 yards? Players would soon stop yapping then, or does this sanction no longer exist?
For England, Mike Brown does way too much barracking of the officials and I would be delighted to see him dropped on account of this even more so than his recent inability to see any of his team-mates when he’s in possession.
Farrell’s not too bad, but someone does need to tell him to put a bloody sock in it.
Hartley used to be a bit of an offender in this regard,but seems to be maturing very nicely in his new captain’s role.
Can’t think of any other whining England players at the moment, although I seem to remember hearing Joseph once via the ref’s mic telling him very aggressively (with swears!) what decision he thought he should make – “he’s off his ****ing feet sir” was the expression, if I remember correctly – and to be fair, the player was quite blatantly off his ****ing feet. (By the way I tried to post this without self-censorship just now, didn’t realise swearing was not allowed here).
For Wales, I think I have seen Davies and Williams gesticulating and chuntering at the refs on a few occasions. Possibly one or two others too. Are they worse than players in other teams? Don’t know. Will have to peruse Santiago’s report next week for the comparison with England. 😉 I’m not so sure.
As for the other potential interpretation of “are the Wales backs a bit ‘football’?” – I cringe every time I see JD2 kicking good ball away. In my humble (and relatively ill-informed) opinion, he’s a good passer of the ball and a relatively shit kicker. Keep the bloody pill in hand man. Well, actually, this advice is for future reference only;this weekend please carry on kicking the bloody thing away,
Benjit – it does feel like a while since a ref in an international test match actually marched anyone back for yapping, doesn’t it. A quite brilliant law and one that I wish they would implement more frequently.
Very strong team and squad tbh, not sure England will have too much of a bench advantage in this match, not compared with the previous 3. Still feel quite confident of an England win though, which is quite unusual for me, but I genuinely believe that home advantage coupled with decent selection and a competent coach, allied with a burning desire for revenge, will see England home.
However I do feel my confidence decreasing as the match gets closer, so will no doubt be biting finger nails come Saturday!
Yeah, funnily enough Benjit I felt the same from a Welsh perspective for the WC match. This one however, I see nothing other than an English win.
Really? I am an English Supporter, but I can definitely see Wales winning. I think it is a 50/50 match. Hopefully a good one 😉
Before I get accused of arrogance by Brighty, I am not for one second saying that Wales can’t win. They have a very good chance. But for the reasons I mention above, I think England have a more than 50% chance in this match.
However all it takes is a stupid yellow card at a crucial part of the match (and boy do England have form here) and these perceived advantages would be wiped out. In fact discipline is the one major worry for me, and I hope to goodness the England players are up to speed on what Joubert does and does not tolerate.
I think it’s very close to look at Benjit. Something small like, as you say, a card or home advantage or an injury could be what breaks it. Or perhaps a wildcard like Tui starting. I can see your confidence. I think we can win it. I think on balance we are more likely to lose it.
Bit worried about our front row depth on the bench. No Gethin, Francis has looked poor for Wales in the last.
Anscombe still hasn’t shone and j do not understand why we have both Priestland and him on the bench. No speeding wing cover or hulking centre cover.
England by 5.
Just like the RWC game, I fear this is all going to come down to discipline. Both sides have good kickers but England’s penalty count is still way too high. Dancing Dan will punish anything in the England half and if England keep conceding at the breakdown (where Wales clearly have the edge) then I can see this one being resolved by the boot. I think Joubert is going to have his work cut out on this one and it’s quite possible someone will get binned again for killing the ball which, as you say, could determine the game.
Agree with you Brighty re having both Anscombe and Priestland on the bench, what has Amos done to Gatland – I thought he looked very good in the WC and I’m very glad Cuthbert is starting and not him!
I think your front row cover is stronger than its ever been, in fact your bench as a whole , despite the comments above, looks strong to me. Can’t see any last qtr burst from England, sadly.
mistake to leave Charteris out IMO as already stated, a definate Lion in my book and seems to improve with every game if thats possible , since his defensive display v Ireland he has been immense ,the only reason i can see for Bradley gettinn the nod is that he must be stronger in the scrum, i also think Wales will miss Gethin in the late stages of the game if it’s a close one as he’s like a 3 rd flanker with his turnovers if its loose enough, pity as i think it will be his last season for Wales , been a brilliant player and probs the fittest prop i can remember,….its early yet to make a prediction , anyone kno who the ref is ? at least we know it wont be the pedantic Barnes thank god, and we dont know the England side so i’ll wait for the announcement , i think Billy “i would never play for England”Vinipola won’t be as destructive as he has been tho , Haskil always seems to play well against Wales and he is more of a concern to me in this match as is the english front row, if england know they have the upper hand in the scrums/mauls i think it will be a long afternoon and doubt the ball will get past farrel more than 3/4 times , if its roughly evens at set piece it could be a cracker with both sides goin for it .possible but not probable .
The ref is ‘leg it’ Joubert
As for “doubt the ball will get past farrel more than 3/4 times”
How about this for every time Farrell passes the ball you give me a pound and for every time Roberts passes the ball I give you a pound
As said, that’s conditional,NB english forwards obviously having the upper hand; i’ll take the bet if you’ll take a pound for every yard made from roberts v farrell , or would you prefere missed tackles ? , horses for courses,… Roberts ain’t there for his passing, hes there to smash farrel to a pulp and recycle the ball after, i also said PASSED Farrell , so no inside passes, i’ll take THAT bet .
Not sure Charteris is a Lion as there are quite a few in front of him. Launchberry, Kruis, Richy Gray and Alun Wyn-Jones. Itoje may well be by next year as well and Lawes if he gets back to form and fitness. But I think he Wales 2nd best for sure.
Would rather have seen Webb,James and Charteris starting.
That said it mostly the 23 I’d go for. I’d still have Hook for Priestland
Much happier seeing that Mr Turn-in-and-get-penalised has an alleged ‘calf injury’ so he will not be coming off the bench and getting crucified by Cole et al as he has done for the last 3 Wales games v England.
I was afraid that Gats would find any old excuse to put that busted flush in the 23 but he hasn’t thankfully.
Pony boy is still there though but Gats has openly taken against Hallam Amos at 11 and no-one else in Wales has put their hand up…Tom James had his chance as being too thick for anything above the Pro12 he was never going to hold his place.Walker has seen too little game time as he always seems to be injured. I suspect he gets injured putting his boots on.
England start as favourites due to home advantage and the finally have a rally good coach who knows what he is doing because the last 2 coaches were pretty clueless in all honesty.
Can see the TMO being well over-employed in this game , Joubert will not want to risk getting anything wrong after the WC debacle, hope it doesn’t ruin the game …
Well he has shown he can run away quickly if anything does go wrong 😉