| Venue: Twickenham Stadium Date:Saturday 26 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT |
| Coverage:Listen to match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Wales; text commentary and highlights available on the BBC Sport app and website. |
Harry Randall will be playing scrum-half for England in the Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham. Courtney Lawes, who is returning to England, will serve as captain.
Randall will be replacing Ben Youngs for the second consecutive game, so he must wait for Ben to win the record 115th Cap from the Bench.
Henry Slade will be Henry Tuilagi’s partner after Manu Tuilagi is back from injury.
Alex Dombrandt begins at number eight with Sam Simmonds again on the bench.
England team will face WalesSteward, Malins. Slade, Tuilagi. Nowell; Smith. Randall. Genge. Cowan-Dickie. Sinckler. Ewels. Itoje. Lawes. (Capt), Curry. Dombrandt.
Replacements: George, Marler, Stuart, Isiekwe, Simmonds, Youngs, Ford, Daly.
Luke Cowan-Dickie, a hooker, starts in front of Jamie George. Kyle Sinckler, a prop, pushes Will Stuart down to the bench for his 50th England debut.
Lawes has been out of action since mid January due to a concussion. However, he has been declared fit to start and regain his captaincy against South Africa, in the autumn. Tom Curry will step down as flanker.
Dan Biggar, Northampton team-mate, leading Wales in the fixture. It is the first time that the two captains of an England against Wales fixture have been from the same club.
Youngs will surpass Jason Leonard’s record for England’s men with 114 caps if he takes to Twickenham.
England lost their opening match against Scotland. They then won a bonus-point victory in Italy. England will need to win against Wales if they are to retain their title hopes.
Last year’s champions Wales – who have recalled number eight Taulupe Fletau and wing Josh Adams for the game – have also won one but lost one of their fixtures.
Jones praises the “young, hungry team”
Randall, 24 years old, and Marcus Smith, 23-years-old, were able to combine their efforts to create a fast attack on Italy in Rome.
A passionate Welsh team will present a more difficult Test for the pair. However, Eddie Jones, England’s head coach, praised his young players.
Jones stated that Jones had a “talented, young, and hungry squad” who trained with intense intensity this week.
“Wales is a strong, tough side and Six Nations champions. This will make for an exciting Test match at Twickenham.
“We’re ready for them to win and can’t get enough of playing in front our fans again.
“It will also include two milestones for Ben, Kyle and Kyle, who have both made significant contributions to English Rugby throughout their careers.” We wish them well and are pleased for their achievements.
