Gatland picks Anscombe over Biggar
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales coach Warren Gatland has unveiled his Wales team to face England in a crucial Six Nations clash in Cardiff on Saturday.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones returns to lead Wales against England in Cardiff on Saturday.
Jones will make his 122nd Welsh appearance, his 21st as captain, at Principality Stadium as the two remaining unbeaten teams in the Six Nations go head-to-head.
Jones will pack down with Cory Hill in the second row with Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty forming the back row. A front row of Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis complete the forwards line-up.
Gareth Davies and Gareth Anscombe are named at halfback with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies partnering again in the midfield. Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams make up the back-three.
▶️ Warren Gatland says his Wales team will be “a different animal” when they return to @principalitysta on Saturday. Gwrandwch ar y prif hyfforddwr yn pwysleisio’r pwysigrwydd y gêm yn erbyn Lloegr. #WALvENG pic.twitter.com/E3lMzJO0zE
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 21, 2019
“We are really happy with the experience we have got in the side,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland. “We have been on the road for the first two weeks, we are looking forward to being back at home and to build on those first two wins and to build on our performance.
“We’ve had a great two-week lead up to this game, we’ve looked really sharp and the squad are incredibly motivated to kick on.
“We know how important this game is for the rest of the championship. It’s a massive challenge playing against an England team that is playing really well and with a lot of confidence and we’ve got to make it difficult for them on Saturday.
“We are looking forward to it and we know the Welsh fans are too and it’s going to be a huge weekend in the Six Nations.”
Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis provide Wales’ front-row replacements with Adam Beard and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Dan Biggar and Owen Watkin provide the backline cover.
#GuinnessSixNations Team News 🏉
Your Wales team to face @EnglandRugby on Saturday 🏴 #WALvENG 🏴 Dyma’r dreigiau fydd yn cystadlu yn erbyn y rhosyn coch penwythnos yma. #HWFN #ForTheJersey pic.twitter.com/jju4zP8dzM
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 21, 2019
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Josh Navidi, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Cory Hill, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rob Evans.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Owen Watkin.
Date: Saturday, February 23
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16.45 (14.45 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
