England vs Wales LIVE: Result and reaction as Eddie Jones’s side clinch Six Nations Triple Crown
Follow all the reaction live from Twickenham
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow the latest updates live from the Six Nations clash at Twickenham as England take on fierce rivals Wales, with the Triple Crown up for grabs for Eddie Jones’s side.
The fourth round of the Six Nations has been blighted by the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak, with today’s opening fixture between Ireland and Italy already postponed in an effort to contain the spread of the pandemic. Despite fears that England and Wales’s clash could go the same way, the match goes ahead in what will definitely be England’s final Six Nations match this season, with next weekend’s finale against Italy also called off.
Jones has made two changes to his side as both Mark Wilson and Anthony Watson return from injury for their first international appearances of the season, with Sam Underhill missing out through injury and Jonathan Joseph dropped. Wales boss Wayne Pivac meanwhile makes four changes, as Rob Evans and Josh Navidi come into the pack and Tomos Williams and Liam Williams added to the back line. Follow the live updates below.
When is the match?
England vs Wales takes place on Saturday 7 March at Twickenham Stadium.
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 4:45pm.
Where can I watch it?
Live coverage will be shown on ITV and online on the ITV Hub from 3:50pm. Highlights will be shown on ITV on Sunday at 10:35pm.
Teams
England: Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Tom Curry.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Joe Launchbury, Charlie Ewels, Ben Earl, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Nick Tompkins, Hadleigh Parkes, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones; Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Aaron Shingler, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Johnny McNicholl.
Odds
England to win: 2/9
Wales to win: 9/2
Draw: 33/1
Prediction
England 23-17 Wales: History shows these game are among the tightest in world rugby, particularly when it comes to the Six Nations, and just like the tournament trend it tends to all in favour of the home side. That should prove true once more given Wales aren’t at full strength, with Taulupe Faletau only fit enough from the bench and both Josh Navidi and Liam Williams at risk of being undercooked, and England look to be hitting their stride at the perfect time for this collision.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of this afternoon's Six Nations clash between England and Wales, brought to you from pitchside at Twickenham.
The coronavirus outbreak may have claimed today's opening fixture - which was due to see Ireland host Italy in Dublin - but the grudge match at Twickenham goes ahead as planned.
England suffered defeat last time they faced Wales in the Six Nations a year ago - although the two sides met twice in the Rugby World Cup warm-ups and shared a victory each - and talk has very much been about revenge this week following that 21-13 loss in Cardiff.
Eddie Jones has made two changes to his side, one forced through a head injury to Sam Underhill, meaning Mark Wilson returns at openside flanker for only his second appearance of the season, while Anthony Watson also makes his comeback on the wing at the expense of Jonathan Joseph.
Wales boss meanwhile Wayne Pivac makes double the number of changes, with both Josh Navidi and Liam Williams making their comeback from injury while Rob Evans and Tomos Williams are handed recalls.
Kick-off is at 4:45pm this afternoon, and we'll begin our full build-up from 3:30pm to bring you all the action live from Twickenham.
Wales have arrived first at a windy but dry Twickenham, with Wayne Pivac's tie depicting the conditions perfectly.
There was sad news this morning that has been particularly difficult for Welsh fans to hear, with the confirmation that former international Matthew J Watkins losing his seven-year battle with cancer.
He'll definitely be on the thoughts of many this afternoon at Twickenham.
Not far behind the Wales team bus followed the England squad, with Eddie Jones leading them in through the Rose & Poppy Gates.
There's been plenty of noise around the England camp this week after their match against Italy next weekend was eventually called off due to the coronavirus outbreak.
However, Eddie Jones was having none of it when he announced his squad on Thursday, with the head coach dismissing all questions on the virus and the Italy match in order to *try* and focus on Wales.
That said, the simple matter of fact is that the Six Nations now looks set to end in October rather than next weekend as planned.
One area where Wales have reaped reward in recent years is the back row, with the likes of Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau all causing England a headache on more than one occasion.
However, England's success at the World Cup was largely down to their new-look line-up of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, which makes it all the more intriguing over how they will cope today without the latter. Mark Wilson comes into the side at openside for his second appearance of the season, but will that take a yard out of their game?
Mako Vunipola was in action earlier today for Saracens, despite being ruled out of England's team due to fears the prop could have come into contact with the coronavirus after travelling through Hong Kong. Vunipola insists he is ready to play and Public Health England were critical of the Rugby Football Union's decision to stand the player down from international duty.
"PHE current guidance on coronavirus is clear on when self-isolation is necessary," a statement read. "Earlier this week the Rugby Football Union asked a player, having returned from travel overseas, to not attend the camp to avoid the risk of spread, which was not necessary as he was not displaying any symptoms."
Wales haven't triumphed at Twickenham since 2015 and suffered a dramatic defeat against France in their previous Six Nations match. However, they'll still be confident of upsetting Eddie Jones' side, having come out on top when the two teams met in Cardiff last year.
The teams are confirmed as announced on Thursday, meaning no changes ahead of kick-off. Here's how they line up this afternoon:
England: Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Tom Curry.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Joe Launchbury, Charlie Ewels, Ben Earl, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Nick Tompkins, Hadleigh Parkes, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones; Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Aaron Shingler, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Johnny McNicholl.
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