England make 1 change to their XV to face Wales

Eddie Jones has made just one change to his England XV to face Wales this Saturday in Llanelli in their final Autumn Nations Cup group game, George Ford coming in at out-half to replace the injured Ollie Lawrence in the backline. With midfielder Lawrence absent with a hip injury, Henry Slade moves from inside to outside centre with skipper Owen Farrell slotting in at No12 to allow Ford to take over the out-half role.  

Ford had missed the title-clinching England Six Nations win over Italy and the Nations Cup opener against Georgia with an achilles problem but he returned last Saturday as a replacement in the 18-7 win over Ireland at Twickenham. 

After becoming England’s joint second-highest try-scorer against the Irish, Jonny May continues at left wing while Jonathan Joseph is on the right wing. Elliot Daly is at full-back, with Ben Youngs at scrum-half.

Ryan Wilson and Dylan Hartley co-hosts the latest RugbyPass Offload

Ryan Wilson and Dylan Hartley co-hosts the latest RugbyPass Offload

England name an unchanged forwards pack. Billy Vunipola will play at No8, with Tom Curry (blindside) and Sam Underhill (openside) as flankers. Mako Vunipola (loosehead), Kyle Sinckler (tighthead) and Jamie George (hooker) make up the front row.  Maro Itoje remains at lock, with Joe Launchbury completing the tight five.

Luke Cowan-Dickie and Anthony Watson return from injury take their place on the bench, as does Jack Willis, who featured for Wasps last Sunday following his Test debut in the win over Georgia.    

This is brewing up nicely #AutumnNationsCup #WALvENGhttps://t.co/R81BTgh7pB

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They are joined on the bench by Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jonny Hill, Dan Robson and Will Stuart. Tom Dunn and Max Malins are the two subs from last weekend who miss out. Jones said: “We’re expecting another tough match at the home of Welsh rugby where the heart and soul of their game is. 

“Twelve months ago, Wales were Grand Slam champions and three points from a World Cup final, so we know what they are capable of.  We’ve picked the best 23 players for the battle and we’re looking forward to it greatly.”

ENGLAND (vs Wales, Saturday)
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 45 caps)
14. Jonathan Joseph (Bath, 53 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 32 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 86 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester, 59 caps)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 70 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 102 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 62 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 52 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 38 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 41 caps)
5. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 67 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 26 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath, 20 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 54 caps)

REPLACEMENTS
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 24 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath, 6 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
21. Jack Willis (Wasps, 1 cap)
22. Dan Robson (Wasps, 5 caps)
23. Anthony Watson (Bath, 44 caps)

The lads enjoyed that one ?

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— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 26, 2020