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Wales make four changes to their team to face England
By Online Editors
Wales have made four changes to their Guinness Six Nations starting XV to play England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Liam Williams and Josh Navidi return from injury to make their first appearances in the 2020 campaign with Tomos Williams and Rob Evans also both named in the starting side.
Liam Williams comes into a hugely experienced back-three alongside fellow British and Irish Lions George North and Leigh Halfpenny.
Hadleigh Parkes and Nick Tompkins continue their partnership in midfield with Dan Biggar lining up alongside Tomos Williams at half-back.
Evans comes into the front row, making his first start for Wales since the 2019 edition of the tournament and he will pack down alongside Ken Owens and Dillon Lewis in the front row.
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Jake Ball and captain Alun Wyn Jones partner again in the second row, with Jones setting another Welsh record by becoming his country’s most capped player in the Six Nations with 57. In the back row, Navidi comes in to link up with Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric.
“We’ve had a good two weeks and we are really excited about heading up to Twickenham for what will be a huge Six Nations clash,” said Wales boss Wayne Pivac. “We have had the chance to put the disappointments of the loss to France behind us and we know heading to London we need to be more clinical in attack and convert the opportunities that we are creating.
“Liam’s return to full fitness is positive after the loss of Josh (Adams), as is the return of Josh Navidi. We have been targeting this game for both of their returns and they have trained really well so it’s a great opportunity for them on Saturday.”
On the bench Ryan Elias, Rhys Carre and Leon Brown provide the front row cover with Aaron Shingler and Taulupe Faletau completing the forward contingent. Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans and Johnny McNicholl provide the backline cover.
A Welsh Rugby Union statement also clarified the selection of North following his concussion versus France. “George has been in full training and has completed all protocols. All testing has been undertaken with the addition of a globally renowned concussion expert reviewing George’s return (which was proactively sought by the WRU medical team).”
The WRU added that Sam Davies was officially called into Wales’ squad earlier this week.
WALES (vs England, Saturday)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (88 Caps)
14. George North (94 Caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (3 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (28 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (62 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (82 Caps)
9. Tomos Williams (19 Caps)
1. Rob Evans (38 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (65 Caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (25 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (45 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (137 Caps)
6. Ross Moriarty (44 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (75 Caps)
8. Josh Navidi (23 Caps)
Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias (12 Caps)
17. Rhys Carre (7 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (9 Caps)
19. Aaron Shingler (26 Caps)
20. Taulupe Faletau (75 Caps)
21. Rhys Webb (32 Caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (6 Caps)
23. Johnny McNicholl (3 Caps)
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There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
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