England vs Wales: When is it, start time, how to watch online and TV channel, team news, odds, prediction

Everything you need to know ahead of the opening Rugby World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham

England and Wales kick off their Rugby World Cup preparations by renewing their famous rivalry at Twickenham, with Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland set to finalise their squads ahead of Japan 2019.

Sunday’s encounter raises the curtain on both sides’ World Cup plans in the first of four warm-up matches each - two of which will come against each other.

But before next weekend’s return fixture in Cardiff, the two sides meet at Twickenham with England out for revenge after their Six Nations defeat last February at the Principality Stadium.

There is perhaps more riding on the clash for England’s contingent, given that Jones will name his 31-man squad for the World Cup the very next day on Monday afternoon. But Wales will not let the Test pass them by given they too need to impress Gatland ahead of their squad selection, which could make the so-called ‘warm-up match’ just as fierce and competitive as we’ve come to expect.

With the match truly kicking off the road to the Rugby World Cup, here’s everything you need to know for the Test.

When is it?

England vs Wales takes place on Sunday 11 August at Twickenham Stadium.

What time does it start?

The match kicks off at 2pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Action from 1pm BST.

You can follow all the action live from Twickenham with The Independent’s live blog from 1pm.

Teams

England were forced into three changes on Saturday when it emerged that Ruaridh McConnochie (hip), Henry Slade (knee) and Sam Underhill (toe) were all forced to withdraw with injury. Joe Cokanasiga and Jonathan Joseph come into the side as straight swaps for McConnochie and Slade, while Lewis Ludlam is handed his first start at blindside flanker with Tom Curry moving to fill the No 7 shirt. Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi are added to the replacements, leaving England short on cover in the back three and back-row.

England: Elliot Daly; Joe Cokanasiga, Jonathan Joseph, Piers Francis, Anthony Watson; George Ford, Willi Heinz; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Charlie Ewels; Lewis Ludlam, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jack Singleton, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi.

Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones; Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Aaron Shingler, Aled Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin.

Odds

England to win: 10/11

Wales to win: 11/10

Draw: 33/1

Prediction

England to win by 6: Wales tend to struggle at Twickenham, and even if they can use the Six Nations win earlier this year for momentum, it will be hard for Gatland’s side to match that intensity outside of a Six Nations or World Cup clash. The carrot of England’s squad being named the following day should also give the hosts that little bit more to play for.