1
Recap: Wales v England LIVE | Summer Series
By RugbyPass
Follow all the action from the World Cup warm-up match live on RugbyPass as Wales host England at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation anywhere in the world from in our Live Match Centre (click here).
Here are four talking points - written by Andrew Baldock of the Press Association - ahead of this second World Cup warm-up clash, the return fixture in Cardiff following England's 33-19 victory at Twickenham last weekend.
Injuries an occupational hazard
Neither Wales nor England are yet halfway through their four-game competitive World Cup preparation schedules, and the spectre of injuries is never far away.
Wales have already lost fly-half Gareth Anscombe (knee) and No8 Taulupe Faletau (broken collarbone) from their tournament plans, while England had a brief scare last Sunday when flanker Tom Curry went off due to a shoulder issue.
All Eddie Jones and his opposite number Warren Gatland can do is keep their fingers crossed.
Wales forwards need to bounce back
Wales delivered an uncharacteristically poor performance in the set-piece exchanges last weekend, encountering problems in the scrum and seeing a misdirected lineout throw by hooker Ken Owens gift his opposite number Luke Cowan-Dickie a try just before half-time.
Apart from call-ups for lock Jake Ball and flanker James Davies, it is the same eight on Saturday that started at Twickenham, and the Six Nations champions know they cannot afford a repeat showing.
Brothers in arms
It will be a red-letter day for the Davies brothers - centre Jonathan and flanker James - when they become the first siblings to start together for Wales since Jamie and Nicky Robinson 13 years ago.
Jonathan is seemingly a nailed-on World Cup squad selection, but James has a golden opportunity to press his claims for further recognition in a back row department where Wales have enviable strength. It will be only his fourth cap, and a first Wales appearance since June last year.
Warm-up Test in name only
Saturday's game is a pre-season encounter ahead of the far bigger World Cup picture, with rugby union's global extravaganza starting in Japan on September 20. But Wales versus England in front of more than 70,000 fans at the Principality Stadium is inevitably greater than its friendly billing.
It might not be a Six Nations or World Cup Test match, yet that will not detract one bit from what is certain to be a full-blown contest in front of an expectant audience.
WALES: 15. Leigh Halfpenny (81 caps), 14. George North (84), 13. Jonathan Davies (74), 12. Hadleigh Parkes (16), 11. Josh Adams (11), 10. Dan Biggar (71), 9. Gareth Davies (42), 1. Nicky Smith (29), 2. Ken Owens (65), 3. Tomas Francis (41), 4. Jake Ball (Scarlets), 5. Alun Wyn Jones - captain (126), 6. Aaron Wainwright (9), 7. James Davies (3), 8. Ross Moriarty (32). Reps: 16. Elliot Dee (19), 17. Wyn Jones (13), 18. Dillon Lewis (13), 19. Aaron Shingler (18), 20. Josh Navidi (16), 21. Aled Davies (17), 22. Jarrod Evans (1), 23. Owen Watkin (14).
ENGLAND: 15. Elliot Daly (31 caps), 14. Anthony Watson (34), 13. Jonathan Joseph (41), 12. Piers Francis (5), 11. Joe Cokanasiga (5), 10. George Ford - captain (56), 9. Willi Heinz (1), 1. Ellis Genge (10), 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (12), 3. Dan Cole (86), 4. Joe Launchbury (59), 5. Maro Itoje (27), 6. Courtney Lawes (72), 7. Lewis Ludlam (1), 8. Billy Vunipola (42).Reps: 16. Jamie George (37), 17. Joe Marler (59), 18. Kyle Sinckler (22), 19. George Kruis (33), 20. Jack Singleton (1), 21. Ben Youngs (86), 22. Owen Farrell (70), 23. Manu Tuilagi (33 caps).
WATCH: Wales boss Warren Gatland talks to the media ahead of Saturday's match in Cardiff
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Munster confirm the signing of an Irish rugby legend's son
3
Four Ireland talking points as Aki axed and two rookies make bench
4
‘Not a huge surprise’: Michael Hooper on All Blacks’ win over Ireland
5
Latest Comments
The reason Rassie went 5/3 split. We want the ball. He is anticipating exactly those tactics. The reason for the players he chose for the backline. Fast, elusive and extremely dangerous. This will be an expansive game. Mark my words. Rassie is very clever. At least that's my assessment of the game. Borthwick isn't clever enough to pick up on that and most likely will go with the same tactics as the semi finals. If you noticed, this year the Boks tried to keep a hold of the ball and tried to run from anywhere on the field. You got to have the ball to score. The Boks box kicking is great and they know how to play the areal game if they need to. By switching to expansive tactics, they will give the Boks exactly what they want. Defending the whole time will always make you more tired than attacking. Besides, the team without the ball mostly gets penalized as they tend to struggle to stay onside. That is my opinion of the game play against the English that Rassie have in mind. Of course, trying to read Rassie is impossible and I may have the cat by the tail.
Go to commentsAnd now we hear the news that Matthieu Jalibert is refusing to be on the bench.
Thomas Ramos from Duponts club shifted to first five from fullback, clearly to prevent Matthieu Jalibert from making the ten position his own in the absence of Duponts other club mate Romain Ntamack.
This isn't good captaincy by Dupont, it will create division within the squad and will prevent world cup success.
It was clear at the world cup that Dupont wasn't trying to coordinate with Matthieu and it's now clear Dupont wields too much power within the team.
Go to comments