Wales vs England team news: Ruaridh McConnochie to make debut as both sides make three changes

Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes come into the pack as McConnochie gears up for his first England appearance despite already being named in the World Cup squad

(Getty)

Eddie Jones has decided against wholesale changes to his England squad after naming three new faces in the starting line-up for Saturday’s return fixture against Wales in Cardiff.

Former Sevens international Ruaridh McConnochie will make his debut this weekend after recovering from the hip flexor injury that forced him to withdraw from the squad last week, having been named in the final 31-man World Cup squad on Monday.

Lewis Ludlam makes his second consecutive start, though the Northampton Saints flanker moves to openside as Courtney Lawes comes into the back-row to cover the injury-enforced absence of Tom Curry, while Maro Itoje starts in the second-row in place of Charlie Ewels, who does not feature.

Matt Kvesic and Joe Marchant, who were both included in training this week to cover injury absences, are also left out.

But while the likes of Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler and Owen Farrell all feature among the replacements, Jones has still sprung a surprise by naming hooker Jack Singleton at back-row cover, which could prove to be an experiment the Australian has up his sleeve.

“Our selection strategy for our second game is similar to the first, so a bit of a mix-and-match approach,” Jones said. “We are looking at different combinations and have a particular strategy for this game.

“The game is very much about ourselves preparing for the World Cup and we are respectful that we have got such strong opposition at their home ground. We are looking forward to it.

“The squad has been progressing well this week and I think there is a realisation among the squad now that the hard work really starts, nothing has been achieved.”

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has stuck with the bulk of the team who suffered defeat last weekend, giving them the chance to make amends for the slow start to their World Cup preparations.

The Kiwi is forced into making three changes though, with Gareth Anscombe, Adam Beard and Justin Tipuric all absent through injury. Anscombe saw his World Cup hopes end in cruel circumstances as the knock to his knee that forced him off the field last Sunday proved to be a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury, ending his chances of going to Japan. In Anscombe’s absence, Dan Biggar is promoted from the replacements, and Jarrod Evans comes into the matchday squad as fly-half cover.

Tipuric and Beard are more positive updates though, with their absences precautionary, and it allows Jake Ball to start in the second row and James Davies to line up at openside flanker, which along with his brother Jonathan Davies sees the first siblings to start for Wales since Nicky and Jamie Robinson 13 years ago.

Teams

England: Elliot Daly; Ruaridh McConnochie, Jonathan Joseph, Piers Francis, Joe Cokanasiga; George Ford, Willi Heinz; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Maro Itoje; Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Kruis, Jack Singleton, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi.

Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones; Aaron Wainwright, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi, Aled Davies, Jarrod Evans, Owen Watkin.