England men’s head coach Steve Borthwick has named George Ford and Jonny Hill his match day 23 to face Wales at Twickenham Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm).
Owen Farrell (Saracens) returns to captain a team which has 11 changes from the starting XV that took to the field last Saturday for England’s opening fixture of the Summer Nations Series in Cardiff.
In the front row, loosehead prop Joe Marler (Harlequins) joins hooker Jamie George (Saracens) and Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), who retains his place on the tighthead. Behind them, George Martin (Leicester Tigers) partners Maro Itoje (Saracens) in the second row, to win his third England cap and his first at Twickenham Stadium.
Vice-captain Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) is named on the blind side flank alongside Ben Earl (Saracens) on the open side. Earl wins his first start for England after 15 previous appearances as a replacement joining Saracens teammate Billy Vunipola to round off an all-new back row at No.8.
Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers) links up with Farrell in the half back berths. In midfield, 2022/23 Premiership Player of the Season, Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby) starts at inside centre next to Joe Marchant (Stade Francais) at 13. Elliot Daly (Saracens) is named on the left wing, with 20-year-old Henry Arundell (Racing 92) on the right and Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers) keeps his place at full back.
Amongst the replacements, loosehead prop Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), who is also named as a vice captain, will win his 50th England cap when he joins the action. Elsewhere, Theo Dan (Saracens) Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Jack Willis (Toulouse), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Max Malins (Bristol Bears) and Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks) will all be hoping to make a difference from the bench.
“We are very much looking forward to our return to Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, and the opportunity to play in front of our supporters again,” said Borthwick.
“England versus Wales is always a special fixture, and we are pleased to be playing the visitors again so soon.
“We’re delighted for Ellis who will win his 50th cap from the bench. He’s a brilliant professional, both on and off the field, and I’m sure Saturday will be a very proud moment for him and his family.”
On Jonny Hill’s involvement, Borthwick added: “Jonny has trained with us throughout the week, and I am pleased to be able to name him in the match day 23. I have no doubt he will provide a big impact for us off the bench”.
Saturday’s Summer Nations Series clash against Wales which will be shown live and exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, with games against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday 19 August, and Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 26 August to follow before the start of Rugby World Cup in France in September.
ENGLAND v WALES
Saturday 12 August 2023
Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 5.30pm
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
14. Henry Arundell (Racing 92, 7 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 16 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 caps)
10. Owen Farrell © (Saracens, 106 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps)
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 79 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 77 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 67 caps)
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 97 caps)
7. Ben Earl (Saracens, 15 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 68 caps)
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 1 cap)
17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 100 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 20 caps)
20. Jack Willis (Toulouse, 10 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 122 caps)
22. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 82 caps)
23. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 19 caps)
