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Warburton to face England in Six Nations

9th February 2017


Sam Warburton retains his place on the blindside as Wales continue their Six Nations campaign against England on Saturday.

Rob Howley has made just two changes to the side that faced Italy with props Rob Evans and Tomas Francis stepping up from the bench.

Taulupe Faletau is the solitary personnel change from the match-day squad against Italy and he is named on the bench.

Evans and Francis join Ken Owens in the front-row with Jake Ball and skipper Alun Wyn Jones again partnering in the second-row. Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty make up the back-row.

Wales name an unchanged backline with Dan Biggar recovering from injury to partner Rhys Webb at half-back.

Scarlets duo Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies continue in the midfield with Liam Williams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny comprising the back-three.

“There is huge excitement in the camp ahead of Saturday for what is set to be a massive RBS 6 Nations encounter,” said Wales Head Coach Rob Howley.

“We were really pleased with the result out in Rome and are looking to build on that performance this weekend.

“Both Rob (Evans) and Tomas (Francis) made a big impact off the bench last weekend and deserve their opportunity to start.

“We have had a short turnaround but Dan and George have worked hard with the medics and we are pleased to be able to name them.”

On the bench Nicky Smith, Samson Lee and Scott Baldwin provide the front-row replacements with Cory Hill and Faletau completing the forward contingent.  The back-line cover remains the same from Rome in Gareth Davies, Sam Davies and Jamie Roberts.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Jamie Roberts.