England vs Wales team news: Confirmed line-ups for Six Nations match

Everything you need to know ahead of the Six Nations fixture

England play Wales at Twickenham (AFP via Getty Images)

For the first time in nearly two years, fans are permitted to attend a Six Nations fixture at Twickenham as England take on Wales.

It is a must win game for both sides if they are to keep their title hopes alive, with unbeaten France flying and tough ends to the tournament for each.

Having stumbled against Scotland at Murrayfield, things didn’t totally click for England against Italy in Rome but Eddie Jones has been boosted by the availability of Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes in the build-up to his side’s first home game of the 2022 edition.

Wayne Pivac’s Wales secured a victory against Scotland last time out after a flat start to the tournament in Dublin, and will hope to secure a first Six Nations win at Twickenham since 2012.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

When is England vs Wales?

The match will kick-off at 4.45pm GMT on Saturday 26 February at Twickenham Stadium in south-west London.

How can I watch it?

It will be shown live on ITV 1, with coverage starting from 4pm. It will also be available to stream live and for free for registered users online on the ITV Hub.

Team News

The fallow week proved a pleasing one for Eddie Jones, with the Australian able to call upon Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi for the first time this tournament. Lawes, who would have captained the side in the absence of Owen Farrell, has been going through return to play protocols after suffering a concussion but is now cleared to play, while Tuilagi has proved his fitness with Sale after returning from a hamstring injury suffered in the autumn.

Wales have made a sizeable selection decision by releasing Louis Rees-Zammit to club Gloucester. The young wing was such a star of last year’s tournament but has struggled to sizzle this season, and with Josh Adams available again after injury finds himself out of the squad.

Confirmed line-ups

England: Freddie Steward, Max Malins, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jack Nowell, Marcus Smith, Harry Randall; Alex Dombrandt, Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes (captain), Maro Itoje, Charlie Ewels, Kyle Sinckler, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge.

Reserves: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Nick Isiekwe, Sam Simmonds, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Elliot Daly. 

Wales: Liam Williams, Alex Cuthbert, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar (captain), Tomos Williams; Taulupe Faletau, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty, Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones.

Reserves: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Jac Morgan, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Anscombe, Jonathan Davies. 

Odds

England win: 3/16

Draw: 33/1

Wales win: 6/1

Prediction

It is nearly ten years since England last lost a home game with Manu Tuilagi in the matchday squad, which speaks both to the centre’s ability and also his national side’s reliance on the midfield bastion. Still, he provides a welcome boost for Eddie Jones, and for as much as Wales showed great improvements against Scotland, a returning Twickenham Six Nations crowd will be confident that they will be pleased come Saturday evening. England 27-20 Wales