Alun Wyn Back To Face England Under Captain Dan

Alun Wyn Jones returns from injury but Wales will be captained by Dan Lydiate against England in Sunday’s one-off Test at Twickenham.

After missing 10 weeks with a foot injury, Lions lock Jones is back for his first match since the Six Nations defeat to Eddie Jones’s Grand Slam champions.

The match tees up Wales’ three-Test tour of New Zealand and with Sam Warburton sidelined, Lydiate skippers the side from openside with Ross Moriarty packing down at blindside and Taulupe Faletau anchoring the pack at No.8.

Jones is fit to start and joins Jake Ball in the locks while Rhys Webb partners his Ospreys teammate Dan Biggar at half-back. Hallam Amos, George North and Liam Willams form the back three with Scott Williams partnering Jamie Roberts in the centres.

It is an unchanged front-row for Wales with Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee packing down for the sixth consecutive time together. Ball will win his 18th cap in the second row alongside Jones who moves onto 99 Wales caps.

There is just one change in the back-line from the side that beat Italy with Williams returning from injury to partner Roberts in the midfield.

“When you look at the summer series ahead, this is a really important match for the squad,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“When looking at previous summer tours and planning for New Zealand, we felt we needed greater preparation to prepare us for the step up in intensity and the match against England will provide that for us.

“It will be an important hit-out for both teams and as ever it will be an important Test match as it’s England v Wales at Twickenham.

“There is a lot of continuity in our squad and a great amount of experience and that is going to be vital over the next five weeks.

“Dan led us exceptionally well in our last match so deserves to continue with those duties this weekend.”

Wales: Liam Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Dan Lydiate (Capt – Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), James King (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues).

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *