Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

England pick unchanged starting XV for Wales game

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Thursday, 08 February 2024 05:26

England have named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday's Six Nations match with Wales at Twickenham.

It is the first time England have fielded an unchanged starting team since the World Cup final in 2019.

In the one change to the squad from the win in Italy, vice-captain Ellis Genge returns from injury to make the bench.

"We're delighted to be back playing in front of a sold-out Twickenham Stadium this Saturday," said head coach Steve Borthwick.

"The visit of the Wales team is always a fixture that creates a special atmosphere."

Borthwick named a fresh-looking side for the Six Nations opener against Italy last weekend, with five players making their international debuts in the 27-24 win.

The England boss has therefore opted for continuity as his side look to build on the win in Rome.

"With a new player group and a number of new caps, we have tried to develop our game on both sides of the ball," Borthwick added.

"Such changes take time, and I was pleased how quickly the players settled and adapted last weekend against Italy."

Prop Genge was a late withdrawal from the squad to face the Azzurri, but has recovered from a foot injury and replaces Beno Obano.

Experienced Fly-half George Ford keeps his starting place after guiding England to victory in Rome, with Fin Smith among the replacements.

"It was a good start, you always want to start the Six Nations with a win," vice-captain Ford, who shares the role with Genge, told BBC 5 live Breakfast.

"There are many positives in it for me, the way it felt on the field, the way we had the endeavour to play with the ball and the way we responded to a few setbacks.

"But having said that we need to be a lot better at the same time, we need to maybe be a bit more consistent in all areas to build the game better and score more points.

"That's what we are going after this week."

Meanwhile, Wales were dominated for 45 minutes by Scotland in Cardiff, before scoring a remarkable 26 unanswered points in the second half and narrowly losing 27-26.

Ford says he expects Wales to fix their issues that were so prevalent before half-time and believes Warren Gatland's side will produce a markedly improved display from the start this weekend.

"We'll be preparing for the best version of the Wales team, 100%. You saw how dangerous they were in the second half," he added.

"The probability of them fixing up what happened in the first half is high, of course it is.

"So we have to prepare for the best version of Wales from the very start of the game, and we understand they are a team that never go away, they never stop, they fight and fight and fight.

"So we need a full-80 minute performance this weekend."

England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Genge, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F Smith, Feyi-Waboso

Read 135 times

Soccer

Flick fine with tight Barça win on 40-shot night

Flick fine with tight Barça win on 40-shot night

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona coach Hansi Flick said he wasn't worried his team could o...

Pep: City's season 'bad' even if we qualify for UCL

Pep: City's season 'bad' even if we qualify for UCL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City manager Pep Guardiola scoffed at suggestions that h...

Man City's Champions League push shows fight, even if spark is missing

Man City's Champions League push shows fight, even if spark is missing

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMANCHESTER, England -- Pep Guardiola has seen Manchester City score...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Celtics' Pritchard honored with Sixth Man award

Celtics' Pritchard honored with Sixth Man award

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTwo years ago, Payton Pritchard was on the fringes of Boston Celtic...

Lillard struggles, admits being 'winded' in return

Lillard struggles, admits being 'winded' in return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- All-Star guard Damian Lillard wanted to give the Mi...

Baseball

Stanton joins Yankees mates for batting practice

Stanton joins Yankees mates for batting practice

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton t...

Phils' Sanchez leaves start, confident left arm OK

Phils' Sanchez leaves start, confident left arm OK

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez was re...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated