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Wales make 8 changes for the visit of England
By Online Editors
Wales have made eight changes to their XV that will face England on Saturday in Llanelli following their round two Autumn Nations Cup win over Georgia which snapped a six-match losing streak under Wayne Pivac.
Recalled captain Alun Wyn Jones is one of four changes to the pack that managed an 18-0 win last weekend. He takes over at lock from Seb Davies. Ryan Elias for Elliot Dee, Shane Lewis-Hughes for the concussed Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau for Aaron Wainwright at No8 are the other changes. James Botham switched to openside this week.
In the backs, Lloyd Williams will partner Dan Biggar at half-back, with Callum Sheedy dropping to the bench and Kieran Hardy missing out altogether. With the same midfield of Johnny Williams at No12 and Nick Tompkins at 13 kept in place, the other two Wales changes are in the back three.
Liam Williams is replaced at full-back by Leigh Halfpenny and with Louis Rees-Zammit switching to right wing, his left wing berth from Georgia is filled by Josh Adams. Johnny McNicholl loses out.
“Saturday is another great opportunity for us and for this squad,” said head coach Pivac. “It is another chance for us to take what we have been doing in training and take that into matchday and we are looking forward to it. We know what we need to do and we are focused on that for Saturday.”
On the bench Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre and Tomas Francis provide the front row cover with Will Rowlands and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Rhys Webb, Callum Sheedy and Owen Watkin provide the backline cover.
WALES (vs England, Saturday)
1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (28 Caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (16 Caps)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (44 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (48 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (141 Caps) (CAPT)
6. Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues) (2 Caps)
7. James Botham (Cardiff Blues) (1 Cap)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (79 Caps)
9. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (30 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (86 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (28 Caps)
12. Johnny Williams (Scarlets) (1 Cap)
13. Nick Tompkins (Dragons) (7 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (2 Caps)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (92 Caps)
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (31 Caps)
17. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)
18. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (50 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (Wasps) (3 Caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (25 Caps)
21. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (35 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears) (2 Caps)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)
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SACK HIM !
Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
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