England v Wales - Teams and Prediction
ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Rarely in the 145-year history of Anglo-Welsh rugby can England have been such overwhelming favourites as they will be when they face Wales in the teams’ Six Nations opener at Twickenham on Saturday.
England, 66-to-1 favourites in a two-horse race with one bookmaker, go into the match on an 11-game winning streak.
Wales, by contrast, have lost 21 of their last 23 Tests, a sequence that includes a 14-68 Six Nations thrashing by England in Cardiff last season.
England’s run suggests they are genuine contenders to win the Six Nations for the first time in six years.
It is a decade since England last won a Grand Slam, but coach Steve Borthwick, abandoning his usual caution, has already made it clear he wants his side competing for a clean sweep in their tournament finale away to France on March 14.
Meanwhile, for Wales, problems have been intensified by a bitter row over the Welsh Rugby Union’s plans to reduce the number of the nation’s professional clubs from four to three.
But Wales flanker Josh Macleod, who will be making his Six Nations debut, insists all is not yet lost for the visitors against an England side who’ve added an increasingly expansive backline game to their traditional forward strength.
“There is always that physical edge in Anglo-Welsh matches,” said Macleod. “We are there, we’ll look after our own house, and whatever they throw at us, we will be ready.”
Physicality, however, has often been an issue for a Wales side without a win in the Championship since 2023.
Since rugby union turned professional, England have never won the Six Nations in the year immediately after a British and Irish Lions tour, with this edition following the combined side’s 2025 series win in Australia.
The last England team to buck that pattern were the 1963 side that won the then amateur Five Nations.
England also have a front-row injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s match, while captain Maro Itoje is on the bench after missing some of the squad’s preparations to attend the funeral of his mother.
England are also sweating on the fitness of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso after the dynamic wing failed to finish training on Thursday with an unspecified leg issue.
Jamie George, a former England captain and a longtime teammate of Itoje at Saracens, will lead the hosts out on Saturday, with the experienced hooker urging his side to embrace the weight of expectation upon them.
“I’ve been around too long not to lean into being favourites,” said George.
“The elephant in the room – we’ve been in good form recently. We haven’t shied away from it.”
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🚨 𝘿𝙞𝙬𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙛𝙖𝙣 🏴
Scrum coach Duncan Jones is unfortunately unable to join Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, following a freak leg injury sustained in camp this week.
Pob lwc with the recovery Duncan 💪#CymruAmByth #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/OxhFXbHc2e
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 5, 2026
‘Iconic Allianz Stadium’
Wales coach Steve Tandy has fond memories of Twickenham from his time as Scotland defence chief, helping the Dark Blues to memorable Six Nations wins in 2021 and 2023.
“Winning at Allianz Stadium, at such an iconic stadium, is incredible,” said Tandy.
He added: “Going up to England, I find it exciting. For our group, I know ‘intimidating’ and ‘daunting’ are words which people will throw out, which is understandable.
“But we have to be excited about how we can go and attack this game.”
Borthwick has forecast Wales will resort to a kicking game at Twickenham, a view supported by Tandy moving Louis Rees-Zammit from wing to fullback, where he replaces the diminutive Blair Murray.
“Zammo is threatening, and if there is a kick that is too long, then something can happen, as we have seen for Bristol,” said Tandy.
“I am excited by his aerial work as well. As much as he is quick, he is a big man as well.”
Tandy had heaps of praise for England and their recent run of form, but expects his team to step up to the occasion.
“Wales v England is always a special game with all the history behind the fixture. We know they’re playing some outstanding rugby and they’re in great form. But I know how much it means to our players playing for the nation and representing Wales.
“The way the squad trained this week has been great. I want to see us get out and really attack the game on Saturday and give the best account of ourselves. Opening the Six Nations at Twickenham is historic, and it’s something we can’t wait to do.”
Tandy also backed Macleod, who has been named at openside flanker in what would be his fifth Test since his debut in 2022 against Georgia.
“Josh has had some rough luck with injuries, but the way he’s come back, the way he leads, his attention to detail around his week plan, the way he trains, the intensity he brings to everything he does is excellent. It’s going to be awesome to see him on the weekend.”
Players to watch
For England: Fullback Freddie Steward has some of the safest hands in the game under the high ball, and with Borthwick expecting Wales to kick a lot, his selection is automatic. The halfback combination of Alex Mitchell and George Ford will be key in controlling the tempo, backed by a solid pack in front of them.
For Wales: Eyebrows were raised when Tandy named Louis Rees-Zammit at fullback, but given his attacking ability, it could be a masterstroke, given what he can do given an inch of space. Test rookie Dan Edwards will have some pressure on him going up against the experienced George Ford, but he will have the comfort and experience of Tomos Williams on his inside. Captain and hooker Dewi Lake has been outstanding during the United Rugby Championship for Ospreys, and his leadership and execution of his primary role will be key to Wales’ cause.
Prediction
@Rugby365: England by 25 points
Teams
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Guy Pepper, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith
Wales: 15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Josh Macleod, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Liam Belcher, 17Rhys Carre, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Harri Deaves, 22 Kieran Hardy, 23 Mason Grady
Date: Saturday, February 7
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 16.40 (16.40 GMT)
Expected weather: A high of 12 and a low of 7 degrees Celsius with wind at 20 kilometres an hour. Cloudy most of the time with a little morning rain followed by showers in the afternoon.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
