Autumn Nations Series | What are the teams for England v Wales in the Summer Nations Series?

by Six Nations Rugby

England and Wales go head-to-head for the second time in a week, with the sides making the trip to South West London on Saturday following last week’s clash in Cardiff.

Warren Gatland’s Wales were worthy winners last Saturday, beating Steve Borthwick’s side 20-9 at Principality Stadium.

England boss Borthwick has named his final 33-player squad for the Rugby World Cup in the ensuing time, and will be hoping for a positive reaction from his side as they return to Twickenham.

England Team News

Owen Farrell will captain England from fly-half as they bid to earn their first 2023 Summer Nations Series win.

Defeat last weekend in Cardiff has seen Bortwick retain just four players in his starting XV, with Will Stuart, George Martin, Joe Marchant, and Freddie Steward the only survivors.

Farrell comes in at 10 in place of Marcus Smith, with Jack van Poortvliet joining him in the half-backs, while Ollie Lawrence will combine with Marchant at centre.

Steward retains his spot at full-back, with Henry Arundell and Elliot Daly completing the back three.

In the forwards, Jamie George and Joe Marler will pack down alongside Stuart, with Maro Itoje lining up alongside fellow lock Martin.

And Borthwick has selected an entirely new back row, with Courtney Lawes and Ben Earl either side of No.8 Billy Vunipola.

There is plenty of experience for Borthwick to call on from the bench, with centurions Dan Cole and Ben Youngs named alongside George Ford, while Ellis Genge will bring up half a century of caps for his country if he comes on.

“We are very much looking forward to our return to Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, and the opportunity to play in front of our supporters again,” said Borthwick.

“England versus Wales is always a special fixture, and we are pleased to be playing the visitors again so soon.

“We’re delighted for Ellis who will win his 50th cap from the bench. He’s a brilliant professional, both on and off the field, and I’m sure Saturday will be a very proud moment for him and his family.”

Here’s your England team to face Wales at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm) 🙌@o2 | #WearTheRose | #ENGvWAL | #SummerNationsSeries

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 10, 2023

Wales Team News

Warren Gatland has rung the changes for his side’s trip to London, with an entirely new XV set to take the field at Twickenham.

The experienced pair of Liam Williams and Josh Adams, who will win his 50th cap, come into the back three, while Nick Tompkins and Tomos Williams add further caps to a backline that also includes the uncapped Joe Roberts, two cap Tom Rogers and fly-half Owen Williams.

It is a similar blend of youth and experience in the forwards, as Dan Lydiate and Tomas Francis combine for 140 caps between them.

Francis is joined in the front row by Gareth Thomas and captain Dewi Lake, while Adam Beard and Rhys Davies will pack down behind them.

Lydiate is joined in the back row by Tommy Reffell and Taine Plumtree, who is in line for just his second cap at No.8.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 𝐗𝐕 𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐑𝐔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

👊 Your Welsh side to take on Lloegr at Twickenham

💪 Pleidiol Wyf i’m Gwlad!#WelshRugby

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 9, 2023

“There’s an opportunity for another group of players who weren’t involved last week,” said Gatland. “There’s some great competition within the squad.

“I was pretty pleased with the team performance and the result last week – it wasn’t perfect but there’s a chance now for this group to go out Saturday and to put down their own marker.

“Like I said there’s some real competition and perhaps a bit of pressure on this group as well. Then we’ll look potentially what the make up of the team is the following week against South Africa.”

Wales XV to face England

15. Liam Williams, 14. Josh Adams, 13. Joe Roberts, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Tom Rogers, 10. Owen Williams, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Dewi Lake, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Rhys Davies, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Taine Plumtree

Replacements

16. Sam Parry, 17. Kemsley Mathias, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Christ Tshiunza, 20. Taine Basham, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Dan Biggar, 23. Keiran Williams