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McConnochie to win first England cap as Biggar returns at 10 for Wales

Ruaridh McConnochie will win his first England cap in Saturday's Rugby World Cup warm-up match ag...



Ruaridh McConnochie will win his first England cap in Saturday's Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Wales in Cardiff.

The winger, who converted from the sevens game last summer, is one of three changes to the starting 15 that won against the same opposition on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Maro Itoje comes into the second row, while Courtney Lawes is at blindside flanker.

England head-coach Eddie Jones has not named a replacement back-row forward, instead opting for two hookers, Jamie George and Jack Singleton.

"Our selection strategy for our second game is similar to the first, so a bit of a mix-and-match approach," he said of the selection.

"We are looking at different combinations and have a particular strategy for this game.

"The game is very much about ourselves preparing for the World Cup and we are respectful that we have got such strong opposition at their home ground.

"We are looking forward to it. The squad has been progressing well this week and I think there is a realisation now that the hard work really starts, nothing has been achieved."

England Team: E Daly (Saracens); R McConnochie (Bath Rugby), J Joseph (Bath Rugby), P Francis (Northampton), J Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby); G Ford (Leicester, capt), W Heinz (Gloucester); E Genge (Leicester), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), D Cole (Leicester), J Launchbury (Wasps), M Itoje (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton), L Ludlam (Northampton), B Vunipola (Saracens).

Replacements: J George (Saracens), J Marler (Harlequins), K Sinckler (Harlequins), G Kruis (Saracens), J Singleton (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers), O Farrell (Saracens), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers).

 

Wales have recalled Dan Biggar to play at fly-half, he replaces Gareth Anscombe, who's out of the tournament in Japan after being injured in last weekened's fixture between the two sides.

Grand Slam winning coach Wales coach Warren Gatland says Biggar needs game time.

"This weekend is another opportunity for us to take the field, test ourselves and continue our preparation for Japan.

"It is a little over five weeks until we kick off our campaign in Toyota against Georgia, and it is important we are fully prepared and rugby-ready by then.

"We were disappointed to get the loss last weekend, so it is important we step it up on Saturday and put in a big display in front a of a packed Principality Stadium.

"The squad are looking forward to getting back out there, taking another step towards the World Cup and putting in a big performance."

Wales are unbeaten at the Principality Stadium since their defeat to New Zealand in 2017.

Wales Team: L Williams (Saracens); G North (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets), H Parkes (Scarlets), J Adams (Cardiff Blues); D Biggar (Northampton), G Davies (Scarlets); N Smith (Ospreys), K Owens (Scarlets), T Francis (Exeter), J Ball (Scarlets), AW Jones (Ospreys, capt), A Wainwright (Dragons), J Davies (Scarlets), R Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: E Dee (Dragons), W Jones (Scarlets), D Lewis (Cardiff Blues), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Navidi (Cardiff Blues), A Davies (Ospreys), J Evans (Cardiff Blues), O Watkin (Ospreys).

 

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