08 February 2024 , 13:02
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England have named an unchanged team for the first time in the Steve Borthwick era ahead of their clash with Wales.
One of rugby's great rivalries resumes at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon with the hosts looking to build on an underwhelming opening win over Italy in Rome. Borthwick's selection will see George Ford continue at fly-half with Alex Mitchell his halfback partner.
Mitchell's Northampton Saints team-mate Fraser Dingwall will pick up his second cap in the centres alongside Henry Slade. Last week's Player of the Match Ethan Roots continues in the back row after his standout performance on debut.
Captain Jamie George remains at hooker with Will Stuart and Joe Marler either side. Last weekend's try scorer Elliot Daly is set to retain his berth on the wing despite the looming presence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The much-talked about winger has excelled for Exeter and pledged his international allegiance to England over Wales this year.
Feyi-Waboso was handed his debut off the bench last week, earning a few minutes at the end in Rome. Tommy Freeman and Freddie Steward have been picked in the back three alongside Daly. Ellis Genge is the only change to the 23, coming onto the bench as he returns from injury.
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Borthwick spoke about the need to protect Feyi-Waboso from any media onslaught after he chose England over Wales. England have seen how Owen Farrell has walked away from the international scene having faced a barrage of abuse online.
In last year's championship England secured a memorable victory over Wales in Cardiff with Alex Dombrandt and Ollie Lawrence among the try scorers. The Twickenham crowd haven't seen the hosts lose to the Welsh on home soil since the 2012 Six Nations.
Ethan Roots excelled on his England debutEngland are returning to HQ for the first time since they were stunned by Fiji in a World Cup warm-up outing. The squad have spoken about a desire to rebuild bridges with their supporter base, which they hope can be aided by a more attacking gameplan.
Wales went early with the naming of their team, something Warren Gatland is renowned for. They are looking to continue the positive momentum they found in the second-half of their defeat to Scotland as they scored 26 unanswered points to lit the flames of a potential comeback, which fell one point short.
England team to face Wales
15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Ollie Chessum, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Theo Dann, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Danny Care, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso