England boss Eddie Jones to make one change for Wales clash

Thursday, 25 February 2021 at 02:11

byRugby Rucker

England head coach Eddie Jones will reportedly make just one change to his much-criticised England XV.

The men in white, who lost to Scotland on the opening weekend at Twickenham before beating Italy, have been beaten on seven of their past 10 trips to the Principality Stadium.

Jamie George is pushing for a return to Eddie Jones England starting XV

However, the only change Eddie Jones was considering last night was a recall for hooker Jamie George in place of Luke Cowan-Dickie, according to the Mail Online.

That means Saracens trio Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola are set to keep their places in his starting team, despite concerns over their recent form.

The only other change to the matchday 23 will see uncapped Leicester Tigers forward George Martin likely named among the replacements in place of the injured Jack Willis.

England team to play Wales (probable)

Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell (c), Jonny May, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill, Courtney Lawes, Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry.

Wales v England latest odds

Wales: 5/2

England: 17/35

Draw: 24/1

Betting on the match? Get the latest offers and free bets here

LIST: 5 players who want to swap nations for 2023 World Cup

1. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Australia to FIji)

In an interview with the Daily Mail’s Nik Simon, the Northampton Saints winger international winger said he would ‘100 perc cent’ play for Fiji.

I’m 28 and I’ve still got the best years ahead of me, so the opportunity to play for Fiji would be a dream come true,’ he told Sportsmail.

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‘I have no regrets about playing for Australia. I was pretty young at the time when the opportunity came along and I went for it.

‘But Fiji has always been in my heart. It’s where I was born. When I left Fiji for Australia, my dream was to play for Fiji. I would 100 per cent commit to Fiji if that opportunity came along.’

2. Manu Tuilagi (England to Samoa)

Current number of caps: 41
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know: He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team

The England centre, who was born in Fogapoa and came to the UK at the age of 13, is one of a clutch of Pacific Island players whose eligibility status could change if the restrictions are relaxed.

He is the younger brother of Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi, all of whom are Samoan internationals and also played for Leicester. He's mentioned before that he'd love to join them if possible.

His international career is likely to end later this year when he's tipped to join Racing from Sale Sharks. It would be fantastic for the powerhouse to complete the set.

3. Charles Piutau (New Zealand to Tonga)

Current number of caps: 20
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know? He is the younger brother of 42-cap Tonga centre Siale Piutau.

Piutau, who started his career with Tonga U20 side last played for All Blacks in July 2015 after he was omitted from the World Cup squad that year and his move to Europe effectively ended his chance of Test recall under Steve Hansen.

“I’d love nothing more than to be able to represent Tonga at the next World Cup,” Piutau, who has the backing of Pacific Rugby Players’ Welfare (PPRW) told Press Association Sport.

“I’ve expressed my desire to do that previously, but so far there has been no word about whether that would be possible.

“I’m holding out hope that it can still happen, but obviously the longer that goes on without any suggestion of the rulings changing, then the less likely that becomes.”

4. Nathan Hughes (England to Fiji)

Current number of caps: 20
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know? His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby

The number eight was unlucky not to be included in Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The number eight, who has impressed for Bristol Bears this season, would be a stellar addition to the Fiji pack.

5. Mako Vunipola (England to Tonga)

Current number of caps: 70
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know:? In 2018, Vunipola and his partner welcomed a son, Jacob.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, the loosehead-prop would be eligible to play for Tonga as he is the son of former Tonga captain Fe’ao Vunipola.

He is also the nephew of two other former international players, Manu and ‘Elisi Vunipola who both represented Tonga in the 1990s.

The prop has said that he'd love to play for Tonga, but worries he'd be taking the spot of a younger player.

“Obviously I’d love to play for them, but it’s difficult because it would be unfair to those back on the island; to see myself as an old man coming in and taking that opportunity away from them.

‘It’s a catch-22 really. You’d like to see people not being tied down to one (country) and being able to represent those countries – and they’d be better for it – but you’d also like locals to have the opportunity to make a better life for themselves by playing for their country and on the back of that getting contracts overseas.”

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England team to play Wales: 2021 Guinness Six Nations