England team to play Wales | 2020 Six Nations

In an unchanged tight five, Joe Marler, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler are named in the front row with George Kruis and Maro Itoje in partnership in the second row for the game at Twickenham Stadium (KO 4.45pm live on ITV1).

Mark Wilson, returning for the first time this Guinness Six Nations following injury, is named at openside flanker with Courtney Lawes named at blind-side flanker and Tom Curry at number 8.

Ben Youngs starts at scrum half with George Ford at fly half. Captain Owen Farrell will play inside centre with Manu Tuilagi named at outside centre.

Anthony Watson also returns following injury to join Jonny May on the wings, with Elliot Daly selected at full back.

Jones said: “We’ve had a really good two week preparation – a fallow week in Oxford where we had good training days last Thursday and Friday and three good training days this week culminating in a very good session Wednesday.

“Wales are a very tough, well-coached side and they’ve been building on their attack since Wayne Pivac has taken over.

“It’s always a tough game against Wales and we know they will bring that toughness to all the contest areas.

“We’re looking forward to playing at home again and getting back out in front of our fantastic fans.”

England starting XV
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 42 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 42 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 82 caps) C
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 68 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 98 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 70 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 48 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 34 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 37 caps)
5 George Kruis (Saracens, 44 caps)
6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 84 caps)
7 Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks, 18 caps)
8 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 22 caps)

Finishers
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps)
17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
19 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 64 caps)
20 Charlie Ewels  (Bath Rugby, 14 caps) 
21 Ben Earl (Saracens, 2 caps)
22 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 12 caps)
23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps)

The hulking back-rower,  whose father is former Wales international Paul Moriarty, initially played for England at both U18 and U20 level, winning the IRB Junior World Championship in 2014. However, he has since made his full international debut for Wales and has since won 25 caps while also representing the British & Irish Lions during their tour of New Zealand in 2017.

Mako Vunipola, far-right in the back row, and Billy, fourth right, played for East Wales schools alongside Wales’s Taulupe Faletau. However, after attending English schools they made the switch to represent England. Billy even once admitted he wanted Australia to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Grew up in the Amman Valley and captained Wales U16s.  But was born in Slough and switched allegiance to the land of his birth, playing for England U20s. The 21-year-old scrum-half made 17 Premiership appearances last season, having joined from Gloucester.

Now an exciting centre, his rugby career began in the forwards as a flanker before he moved into the midfield in his mid-teens, representing Kent at county level and London & South East Under-16s.

Tompkins’ dynamic skillset and enthusiastic nature saw him excel for the Men in Black in 2018/19, featuring heavily in the club’s run to their third European success and fifth Premiership title.

The former England Under-20 international, who won the 2014 Junior World Championship, made his Wales debut during the 2020 Six Nations.