England head coach Eddie Jones had made three changes to his side for Saturday’s Test against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with Ruaridh McConnochie — a surprise inclusion in Jones’ World Cup squad — making his international debut.
Maro Itoje also enters the starting XV in the second row, while Courtney Lawes will play at blindside flanker as Lewis Ludlam moves to openside.
McConnochie had been due to make his England debut last Sunday in the side’s clash with Wales at Twickenham, but was forced to withdraw from the team with an injury.
Owen Farrell, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler are all included in the squad for the first time in England’s series of warm-up matches ahead of the Rugby World Cup, but familiar face George Ford will captain the side again following last weekend’s 33-19 victory against Saturday’s hosts.
“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,” Jones continued. “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.”
Meanwhile, Wales head coach Warren Gatland has also made three changes ahead of the Test, with Jake Ball, James Davies and Dan Biggar all starting.
Ball enters the second row alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones, while Davies starts in the back row with Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty.
Davies will play alongside elder brother Jonathan for the first time in a Wales jersey, thirteen years after a pair of brothers last played together for Wales — Jamie and Nicky Robinson in 2006.
Elsewhere, Biggar will partner Gareth Davies at half-back after Gareth Anscombe suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in Wales’ defeat at Twickenham last Sunday. The injury has ruled the fly-half out of the World Cup in Japan, which begins on Sept. 20.
The rest of the backline is unchanged as Hadleigh Parkes pairs with Jonathan Davies in midfield and Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams make up the back three. Gatland has also named an unchanged front row in Nicky Smith, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis. Aaron Shingler and Josh Navidi complete the forward line.
“We were disappointed to get the loss last weekend,” Gatland said, “so it is important we step it up on Saturday and put in a big display in front a of a packed Principality Stadium.”
England XV to face Wales:
15. Elliot Daly, 14. Ruaridh McConnochie, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Piers Francis, 11. Joe Cokanasiga, 10. George Ford, 9. Willi Heinz, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Maro Itoje, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Lewis Ludlam, 8. Billy Vunipola
Replacements: 16. Jamie George, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. George Kruis, 20. Jack Singleton, 21. Ben Youngs, 22. Owen Farrell, 23. Manu Tuilagi
Wales XV to face England:
15. Liam Williams, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Hadleigh Parkes,11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Gareth Davies, 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Jake Ball, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Aaron Wainwright, 7. James Davies, 8. Ross Moriarty
Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Wyn Jones, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Aaron Shingler, 20. Josh Navidi, 21. Aled Davies, 22. Jarrod Evans, 23. Owen Watkin.