Rugby: Rugby-England unchanged to face Wales at Twickenham

February 8, 2024 Sukan 9 Views

LONDON (Reuters) – England have named an unchanged team for the first time since the 2019 World Cup final as they prepare to face Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday, with Ellis Genge the only change on the bench from the side who beat Italy last week.

Loosehead prop Genge returns in place of Beno Obano after overcoming the foot injury that made him a late withdrawal in Rome.

Although England’s 27-24 victory was their smallest winning margin against Italy, they showed more ambition in attack than during their kick-based World Cup campaign last year.

With five players having made their debuts, coach Steve Borthwick is keen to give them and the new systems another opportunity to bed in.

“With a new player group and a number of new caps, we have tried to develop our game on both sides of the ball,” Borthwick said. “Such changes take time, and I was pleased how quickly the players settled and adapted last weekend.”

Wales, beaten 27-26 at home by Scotland last week, have not won a Six Nations game at Twickenham since 2012 and that, along with 2008, are their only championship victories there in the last 36 years – although they did slip in a famous World Cup pool stage win in 2015 that contributed to England’s early exit.

England team

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)

14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)

13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 58 caps)

12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)

11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 65 caps)

10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 92 caps) – vice captain

9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 89 caps)

2. Jamie George (Saracens, 86 caps) – captain

3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 34 caps)

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 77 caps) – vice captain