Marcus Smith is set to receive a golden opportunity to showcase his worthiness for a spot in England’s World Cup squad.
According to The Telegraph, the fly-half is expected to return to the starting lineup and face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Having last started for England in their 53-10 loss to France in March, Smith will reunite with his Harlequins teammate Danny Care as the half-back partnership.
In the absence of Owen Farrell, Ellis Genge is likely to lead the team.
The 24-year-old Smith aims to redeem himself against Warren Gatland’s side at the Principality Stadium.
A strong and commanding performance in this match will solidify his position as one of the three fly-halves, along with Farrell and George Ford, for the 33-man squad that will be announced by Steve Borthwick on Monday.
England is scheduled to play four matches this month, including a return fixture against Wales at Twickenham, a showdown with Ireland in Dublin, and a match against Fiji back at Twickenham on 26 August.
Prop Will Stuart, who is also expected to start, views the upcoming game as an opportunity to showcase the hard work and progress made during the eight weeks of pre-season preparation.
The team aims to make a statement and demonstrate their readiness to compete at the highest level.
“It’s the first chance for us to show people what we have been working on, and how hard we have been working,” Stuart told BBC Sport.
“It’s a chance to put a marker down and that is a big thing for this group, to show people we are at the races.”
Wales team to play England:
Leigh Halfpenny; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Max Llewellyn, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Corey Domachowski, Ryan Elias, Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, Jac Morgan (capt), Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Henry Thomas, Ben Carter, Taine Plumtree, Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, Mason Grady.
England team to play Wales:
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
14. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 18 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 15 caps)
12. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 4 caps)
11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 14 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 21 caps)
9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 87 caps)