England make two changes for Wales Six Nations clash as Jack Nowell and Jack Clifford start

Tom Wood and Jonny May drop out of the starting XV

Jack Clifford starts for England against Wales this Saturday (Getty)

Jack Clifford will start England’s Six Nations match against Wales this Saturday after being named at openside flanker by head coach Eddie Jones.

The Harlequins No 8 Clifford replaces Tom Wood, who despite recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in the 19-16 victory over France last weekend, has been dropped to the replacements’ bench.

The only other change to the side sees Jack Nowell return on the wing in place of Jonny May, who is also included on the bench, while Teimana Harrison drops out of the matchday squad along with the Exeter Chiefs back Henry Slade, who misses out on selection for the second week running.

“It’s been a great week of focused preparation and we can’t wait to play Wales,” said England head coach Jones.

“Playing Wales in Cardiff is one of the biggest games in world rugby and we’re excited. These are the games you want to be part of as a player and a coach.

“It’s a game that is going to be decided on the basics of the game. You do the fundamentals of the game well and you win the game of rugby. We have a young team eager to play well at the great Principality Stadium.”

The 23-year-old Clifford comes into the side for his ninth cap, having made just one start for his country which also came against Wales in last season’s 27-13 victory at Twickenham last May. The Brisbane-born back-row joins Maro Itoje and Nathan Hughes in the back-row, with the rest of the pack unchanged from last weekend’s opening victory over the French.

The selection of Clifford over Wood and James Haskell, who despite returning to fitness remains among the replacements as Jones eases him back into competition following a seven-month injury lay-off, means England head into the match with a vastly inexperienced back-row. Itoje, Clifford and Hughes have 20 international caps between them, compared to the 147 starts boast by the Wales trio of Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau that is expected to start the Principality Stadium clash.

But Jones has no worries over his selection, and says that the Quins No 8 deserves his call-up while stressing Wood still has a big role to play.

“Jack Clifford also deserves his starting role,” jones added. “He is a hard-working, young player. He has got a good record against Wales, he had a superb game against them in May, he knows what he is going to expect from Wales and we’re looking forward to him making an impact to our back-row play. Tom Wood will also play his part later in the game off the bench as a finisher.”

Jones also stressed that the Gloucester wing May still has a job to do, despite fit-again Nowell taking his place.

“Jack Nowell starts this week with Jonny May changing to a finisher. Jack has an excellent work-rate and he’s a guy that carries through the line which will be important for us.

“We don’t need extra motivation this week; we play Test rugby because we want to be the best for England. Every game for us is important and our supporters, and Wales is our next game so it’s the most important.”

England squad to face Wales on Saturday:

15. Mike Brown (vice captain, Harlequins, 56 caps)

14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)

13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)

12. Owen Farrell (vice captain, Saracens, 48 caps)

11. Elliot Daly (Wasps, 9 caps)

10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)

9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 66 caps)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 47 caps)

2. Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints, 80 caps)

3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 70 caps)

4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 38 caps)

5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 54 caps)

6. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 8 caps)

7. Jack Clifford (Harlequins, 8 caps)

8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps, 4 caps)

Replacements

16. Jamie George (Saracens, 13 caps)

17. Matt Mullan (Wasps, 14 caps)

18. Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 4 caps)

19. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 46 caps)

20. James Haskell (Wasps, 71 caps)

21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 67 caps)

22. Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors, 4 caps)

23. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 23 caps)