Wales vs England teams: Warren Gatland and Eddie Jones name squads for warm-up game
Second Rugby World Cup warm-up match takes place on Saturday afternoon in Cardiff
Follow the latest updates live from England’s and Wales’s team announcements ahead of this Saturday’s second Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff.
England pulled off an impressive victory at Twickenham last weekend to claim the early bragging rights in the build-up to Japan 2019, but Wales have the immediate opportunity to gain revenge as the two sides play the second of their August double-header inside the Principality Stadium.
Warren Gatland named his side first and announced three changes to his starting XV, before Eddie Jones did exactly the same as Ruaridh McConnochie, Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes all start. Follow the live updates below.
When is the match?
Wales vs England takes place on Saturday 17 August at 2:15pm.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action from 1:15pm, and on Channel 4 from 1:30pm.
“Our selection strategy for our second game is similar to the first, so a bit of a mix-and-match approach. We are looking at different combinations and have a particular strategy for this game," Jones said in the team release.
“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 among the squad now that the hard work really starts, nothing has been achieved.”
Scott Wisemantel on McConnochie:
"He desrves his chance and it was unfortuante last week that he had that minor blow. But I think in Cardoff on Saturday where it will be quite intense, he'll settle into a rhythm and then he'll be fine."
Wisemantel on McConnochie and Ludlam enthisuiam:
"I think it was special to see last week Lewis with his family. It was cracking to see how happy he was and then for all the family have done, it's been hard work and commitment."
Steve Borthwick on two hookers on the bench:
"Sam took a knock last week and is not ready, Tom took a knock in the game and isn't ready and Mark WIlson took a bang to the ribs and isn't ready for this. Luckily we've got three very good hookers and Jack is versatile enough that he can cover."
On injury updates:
"Curry had his scan and it showed nothing major, and similarly Henry Slade is ongoing but he's progressing well."
Captain George Ford:
"I was proud to captain that team but it's been straight back into it, Monday with the squad announcement and Tuesday preparing to face Wales and focussing on getting better."
Ford on Wales:
"It's not often you play a team back to back so that's a challenge, and that's going to be quite the occasion in Cardiff."
Borthwick on the plan over the four games:
"Over these four games we have a plan in mind. We want minutes for the players and combinations, obvious we've got to be fluid as injuries come up along those."
Borthwick on Maro Itoje coming into the side:
"Luckily we've got great strength in depth in that position so we're able to put Courtney into the back-row and Maro comes in to partner Joe (Launchbury)."
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