Recap: Wales v England LIVE | Summer Series

Follow all the action from the World Cup warm-up match live on RugbyPass as Wales host England at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

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Here are four talking points – written by Andrew Baldock of the Press Association – ahead of this second World Cup warm-up clash, the return fixture in Cardiff following England’s 33-19 victory at Twickenham last weekend.

Injuries an occupational hazard

Neither Wales nor England are yet halfway through their four-game competitive World Cup preparation schedules, and the spectre of injuries is never far away. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Lhl9SoCih/

Wales have already lost fly-half Gareth Anscombe (knee) and No8 Taulupe Faletau (broken collarbone) from their tournament plans, while England had a brief scare last Sunday when flanker Tom Curry went off due to a shoulder issue. 

All Eddie Jones and his opposite number Warren Gatland can do is keep their fingers crossed.

Wales forwards need to bounce back

Wales delivered an uncharacteristically poor performance in the set-piece exchanges last weekend, encountering problems in the scrum and seeing a misdirected lineout throw by hooker Ken Owens gift his opposite number Luke Cowan-Dickie a try just before half-time. 

Apart from call-ups for lock Jake Ball and flanker James Davies, it is the same eight on Saturday that started at Twickenham, and the Six Nations champions know they cannot afford a repeat showing.

Sounds like Alun Wyn Jones can't wait to see James Davies in action for Wales against England on Saturday https://t.co/vGs0SzPk3K

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 16, 2019

Brothers in arms

It will be a red-letter day for the Davies brothers – centre Jonathan and flanker James – when they become the first siblings to start together for Wales since Jamie and Nicky Robinson 13 years ago. 

Jonathan is seemingly a nailed-on World Cup squad selection, but James has a golden opportunity to press his claims for further recognition in a back row department where Wales have enviable strength. It will be only his fourth cap, and a first Wales appearance since June last year.

Here's why England have chosen two hookers on their bench on Saturday against Waleshttps://t.co/u7UXHpDJLO

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 16, 2019

Warm-up Test in name only

Saturday’s game is a pre-season encounter ahead of the far bigger World Cup picture, with rugby union’s global extravaganza starting in Japan on September 20. But Wales versus England in front of more than 70,000 fans at the Principality Stadium is inevitably greater than its friendly billing. 

It might not be a Six Nations or World Cup Test match, yet that will not detract one bit from what is certain to be a full-blown contest in front of an expectant audience.

WALES: 15. Leigh Halfpenny (81 caps), 14. George North (84), 13. Jonathan Davies (74), 12. Hadleigh Parkes (16), 11. Josh Adams (11), 10. Dan Biggar (71), 9. Gareth Davies (42), 1. Nicky Smith (29), 2. Ken Owens (65), 3. Tomas Francis (41), 4. Jake Ball (Scarlets), 5. Alun Wyn Jones – captain (126), 6. Aaron Wainwright (9), 7. James Davies (3), 8. Ross Moriarty (32). Reps: 16. Elliot Dee (19), 17. Wyn Jones (13), 18. Dillon Lewis (13), 19. Aaron Shingler (18), 20. Josh Navidi (16), 21. Aled Davies (17), 22. Jarrod Evans (1), 23. Owen Watkin (14).

ENGLAND: 15. Elliot Daly (31 caps), 14. Anthony Watson (34), 13. Jonathan Joseph (41), 12. Piers Francis (5), 11. Joe Cokanasiga (5), 10. George Ford – captain (56), 9. Willi Heinz (1), 1. Ellis Genge (10), 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (12), 3. Dan Cole (86), 4. Joe Launchbury (59), 5. Maro Itoje (27), 6. Courtney Lawes (72), 7. Lewis Ludlam (1), 8. Billy Vunipola (42).Reps: 16. Jamie George (37), 17. Joe Marler (59), 18. Kyle Sinckler (22), 19. George Kruis (33), 20. Jack Singleton (1), 21. Ben Youngs (86), 22. Owen Farrell (70), 23. Manu Tuilagi (33 caps).

WATCH: Wales boss Warren Gatland talks to the media ahead of Saturday’s match in Cardiff