Biggar gets his shot against England
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have made three changes to their side to face England in Cardiff on Saturday with Jake Ball, James Davies and Dan Biggar coming into the starting XV.
Ball comes into the second row alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones with Davies coming into the back row alongside Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty.
James will also line-up alongside elder brother Jonathan Davies for the first time in a Wales jersey. The last pair of brothers to play alongside each other for Wales was Jamie and Nicky Robinson in 2006.
Dan Biggar comes into the starting line-up and will partner Gareth Davies at halfback. The rest of the backline remains unchanged with Hadleigh Parkes partnering Jonathan Davies in midfield and Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams comprising the back-three.
Wales have also named an unchanged front row with Nicky Smith, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis all starting.
“This weekend is another opportunity for us to take the field, test ourselves and continue our preparation for Japan,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“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 RWC and putting in a big performance.”
Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis provide the front-row cover with Aaron Shingler and Josh Navidi completing the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Jarrod Evans and Owen Watkin are named as the backline cover.
Wales have named their team for Saturday’s sell-out match against England in Cardiff 🏴 Tri newid i’r XV cychwynnol am yr her fawr yng Nghaerdydd yn erbyn Lloegr. #HWFN pic.twitter.com/sMFsiRAH1a
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 15, 2019
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 James Davies, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Captain), 4 Jake Ball, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Josh Navidi, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Owen Watkin.
Date: Saturday, August 17
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.15 (13.15 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
