- Date: Saturday February 10, 16:45 GMT
- Location: Twickenham Stadium, London
- Teams: England vs Wales
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England host Wales at Twickenham
England host Wales in the second round of the 2024 Six Nations. England come into the match on the back of a comeback victory against Italy in Rome, while Wales suffered defeat against Scotland.
England
England are undergoing a transformative phase under the stewardship of coach Steve Borthwick. With a significant turnover in personnel post-World Cup, England’s squad brims with fresh faces and renewed vigour, poised to overcome the absence of stalwarts like Owen Farrell. England have made steady progress under their new coach and while their approach in the 2022 Six Nations and the World Cup was pragmatic and rarely flamboyant there are signs that solid foundations are being built and while, on paper, they do not appear ready to challenge France and Ireland, they are expected to emerge from the Championships as the best of the rest.
England dominated the second half against Italy in Rome to begin their campaign with a win. However, they had to come from behind to come from behind after the hosts had threatened a first win over England. However, a much changed England side overcame this, running out 27-24 winners.
For the first time since the World Cup final in 2019, England have named an unchanged starting XV. The only change to the squad from the win in Rome is vice-captain Ellis Genge, who returns after injury, being named on the bench in place of Beno Obano.
England: 15-Steward, 14-Freeman, 13-Slade, 12-Dingwall, 11-Daly, 10-Ford, 9-Mitchell; 1-Stuart, 2-Marler, 3-George (capt), 4-Itoje, 5-Chessum, 6-Roots, 7-Underhill, 8-Earl
Replacements: 16-Dan, 17-Genge, 18-Cole, 19-Coles, 20-Cunningham-South, 21-Care, 22-Smith, 23-Feyi-Waboso
Wales
Wales too are in something of a transitional phase, embarking on a new era under Warren Gatland, with a youthful squad and an untested captain in Dafydd Jenkins. Despite bidding farewell to some seasoned campaigners, Wales are optimistic about their new era, however, they have some work to do before they can be confident of consistently challenging the likes of France and Ireland.
Wales were 20-0 down at half time against Scotland, and although they, at times, overwhelmed the vistors in a spirited second-half comeback, it proved too little to late with the Scots running out 27-26 winners. They will be determined to get off to a good start at Twickenham.
Wales make seven changes to the starting XV after the loss against the Scots. Centre George North has recovered from a shoulder injury and will make his 50th Six Nations appearance. Ioan Lloyd and Tomos Williams come in at half-back after impressing off the bench last week. Flanker Alex Mann is also promoted from the bench with James Botham ruled out, while the entire starting front-row is changed, with Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee and Keiron Assiratti coming in.
There have been a whole host of changes among the replacments with uncapped prop Archie Griffin, Taine Basham, Will Rowlands, Cai Evans and Kieran Hardy all drafted into the matchday squad.
Wales: 15-Winnett; 14-Adams, 13-North, 12-Tompkins, 11-Dyer; 10-Lloyd, 9-Williams; 1-Thomas, 2-Dee, 3-Assiratti, 4-Jenkins (capt), 5-Beard, 6-Mann, 7-Reffell, 8-Wainwright
Replacements: 16-Elias, 17-Domachowski, 18-Griffin, 19-Rowlands, 20-Basham, 21-Hardy, 22-Evans, 23-Grady
For more information on the tournament check out our Six Nations preview.
Prediction
Both teams go into the championship without some experienced campaigners and both are in something of a transitional phase. Both England and Wales have won Grand Slams in the past and have been genuine contenders for the World Cup, in England’s case winning it in 2003. So this is the level that Borthwick and Gaitland have to aim for and both would privately feel that their current squads are still some way short of this.
After the opening weekend it is clear that England will be the happier of the two sides after their win in Rome. Wales played well in the second half against Scotland and will try to carry this momentum into the England game. I feel that although both sides are in transition, that England are slightly ahead of Wales in this respect. England to win.
Twickenham Stadium, London
Odds to be posted when available.
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