Warren Gatland has named his Wales team to play England at Twickenham on Sunday in their first Rugby World Cup warm-up match.
Alun Wyn Jones will become his country’s most capped rugby player of all time on Sunday when he leads the men in red.
It will be Jones’ 135th test match (126th for Wales, plus 9 British & Irish Lions tests) and he captains an experienced squad for Wales’ first summer test.
Alun Wyn Jones will become his country’s most capped rugby player of all time on Sunday when he leads the team against England at Twickenham 🏴 Gêm nodedig i’r capten wrth iddo arwain tîm profiadol yn erbyn Lloegr. #HWFN pic.twitter.com/wJJJsg015e
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 9, 2019
With a six-day turnaround between the back-to-back matches against England (Aug 11 and Aug 17), Warren Gatland is using the games and the preparation to replicate Wales’ RWC schedule where they also face a six-day turnaround between pool fixtures.
“The squad are looking forward to this weekend and getting a game under their belt after a really intense preparation period,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“We have picked a strong-looking team and we are looking forward to seeing how they kick on after a successful couple of campaigns.
“These matches are really important leading into the RWC, to ensure that the players are both ready for the tournament but also to give players the opportunity to put their hands up for selection.
“There is a balance with selection, a need to mix continuity from what we have achieved with opportunity, and we will look to do that over the next couple of weeks.
“Looking at the first two matches, this block replicates what we are doing in the RWC with a six-day turnaround so it’s a good opportunity for us to prepare and mimic that schedule.”
Wales team to play England
15. Liam Williams (Saracens) (55 Caps)
14. George North (Ospreys) (83 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (73 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (15 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (10 Caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys) (26 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (41 Caps)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (28 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (64 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (40 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys) (13 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (Ospreys) (125 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (8 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (64 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (31 Caps)
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (18 Caps)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (12 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (12 Caps)
19. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (32 Caps)
20. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (17 Caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) (7 Caps)
22. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (70 Caps)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (13 Caps)
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