It’s the first time both captains from England (Courtney Lawes) and Wales (Dan Biggar) have come from the same club for the tournament fixture
WALES face England in the Six Nations in a must win game for both teams.
Wayne Pivac’s side travel to Twickenham tomorrow fresh from a 20-17 win against Scotland at the Principality Stadium.
With both teams tied 17-17, Scotland’s Finn Russell received a yellow card in the 68th minute for a deliberate knock-on.
On his 100th international cap Dan Biggar kicked a drop-goal from the resulting attack, which was enough to secure a narrow victory for Wales.
After the game Dan Biggar said: “For me, this is one of my best victories in a Welsh shirt and that says it all. It’s been a really difficult week; we’ve had to put up with a lot of flak and rightly so.
“To come back here and put on a show in front of the crowd like that, just grind a result and roll our sleeves up, as I said it’s one of the best victories in my 100.”
After a heavy defeat in Dublin on the opening weekend, Wales know a win is essential to keep their Championship dreams alive.
Like Wales, England also have one win and one defeat in this year’s Six Nations.
After a defeat to Scotland on the opening weekend, where the Scots retained the Calcutta Cup, England bounced back to comfortably beat Italy in Rome.
Eddie Jones’ side were ruthless in attack and outclassed the Azzurri winning 33-0.
In the 2021 Six Nations, Wales completed a Triple Crown with a 40-24 victory over England at the Principality Stadium.
England left Cardiff angered by refereeing decisions after Josh Adams and Liam Williams scored controversial tries. However, this year the fixture is Twickenham.
Wales, the defending champions, have not won at Twickenham in the Six Nations since 2012.
A total of 137 matches have been played between the two sides since their first-ever meeting in 1881, with England winning 65 times and Wales 60.
The rivalry between the two teams is historic and Eddie Jones’ assistant Martin Gleeson has called it “a massive game.”
Randall’s rise to the top
Scrum-half Harry Randall starts for England tomorrow, but his rugby was developed and refined in Wales.
Alongside injured Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones and winger George North, Randall is part of the Llandovery College alumni.
Born in Slough to English parents, Randall moved to Amman Valley aged four and took up rugby there.
Randall represented Wales at under-16 and under-18 level before going on to play for England under-18s, under-20s and now the senior team.
The 24-year-old will now be looking to keep England’s Six Nations hopes alive whilst ending Wales’.
No Louis Rees-Zammit
Wayne Pivac has left the Gloucester winger out of his matchday 23 after he has struggled to make an impact in this campaign so far.
The 21-year-old damaged his ankle in the warm-up against Ireland but still played in the Dublin defeat.
Questions have been raised on his aerial work and in particular his defence after he allowed Scotland’s Darcy Graham to brush past him in round two.
His omission is a surprise to many and Wales will miss his lightening pace this weekend.
Rees-Zammit was one of the stars of last year’s Six Nations triumph and was a member of the Lions tour to South Africa.
However, the Gloucester winger hasn’t hit the same heights as 12 months ago and in the long run a rest from the international team could be beneficial for him.
Team News
England welcome back Courtney Lawes, who hasn’t played since mid-January due to concussion.
With Lawes regaining his captaincy and Northampton team-mate Dan Biggar leading Wales, it is the first time in history the captains in an England against Wales fixture have both come from the same club.
The hosts also make changes in the front row with Luke Cowan-Dickie replacing Jamie George and prop Kyle Sinckler stepping in for Will Stuart.
Harry Randall starts at scrum half for England which means that Ben Youngs will have to wait to win a record 115th cap from the bench to surpass Jason Leonard’s record of 114 caps for England’s men.
Centre Manu Tuilagi was set to make his first appearance of this year’s Championship for England but will now miss the game with a hamstring injury.
Wales recall Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau, with Jac Morgan and Louis Rees-Zammit making way.
Faletau, who was man of the match in the 2021 fixture, returns to the team following a seven-month lay-off with an ankle injury.
Cardiff Rugby winger Adams is back in the starting 15 after he missed Wales’ home win over Scotland with a calf problem.
Fan Reaction
Welsh fans are split on whether they think they can beat England at Twickenham.
Helen Smith, from Cardiff, said: “This team won’t beat England, but it will make for an interesting match.”
Whilst Leighton Thomas, from Gabalfa, is more optimistic, he said: “If our backline is on form and if we can get the ball to them then we have a good chance.
“I think this team can definitely square up to England.”
The game takes place on Saturday, 26 February (4.45pm kick-off) and is live on ITV and S4C.
