Wales at full strength for England

 

Warren Gatland has named his team 48 hours ahead of schedule and it sees the return of British and Irish Lions Richard Hibbard and George North to the starting line-up for the Six Nations tournament opener.

 

Hibbard will line-up in the front row with Gethin Jenkins and Samson Lee, with Jake Ball and Alun Wyn Jones packing down behind.

 

Warburton is named in a familiar back row with Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau.

 

Ospreys duo Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar continue at half back with Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies continuing their partnership in midfield.

 

North is the only change in backline and lines up in a back three along with Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny.

 

"We decided to name the team early to give the players the best possible chance of preparation," said Gatland.

 

"It was a tough call on the two changes we have made from the side that beat South Africa, but its good to have these and other tough selection decisions and it's a strong position to be in.

 

"We are excited about kicking the tournament off on Friday against a strong England side in front of a packed Millennium Stadium."

 

Scott Baldwin, Paul James and Aaron Jarvis form the front row cover on the bench, with Luke Charteris and Justin Tipuric completing the forward contingent.

 

Mike Phillips, Rhys Priestland and Liam Williams provide the backline cover.

 

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb,8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Paul James, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Liam Williams.

 

Date: Friday, Februray 6

Venue:  Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Kick-off: 20.05 (20.05 GMT)

Expected weather: A clear evening with a high of 6, 10 percent chance of rain.

Referee: Jérôme Garcès

Assistant referees: Romain Poite, Mathieu Raynal 

TMO: Simon McDowell