Gatland names team for England clash
George North to make his 50th Six Nations appearance for Wales
Last updated 7th Feb 2024
George North returns to the Wales starting XV in what will be his 50th Six Nations appearance on Saturday (February 10) . He partners Nick Tompkins in the midfield.
Following his try scoring debut last weekend, Alex Mann will make his first senior international start having been named at blind-side flanker. Tommy Reffell (open-side flanker) and Aaron Wainwright (No. 8) complete the Wales back row.
Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half, with Ioan Lloyd alongside him at fly-half.
Loose-head prop Gareth Thomas returns from injury to make his first appearance of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. Hooker Elliot Dee and tight-head prop Keiron Assiratti who were both replacements against Scotland make their first starts of this Championship.
Captain Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard continue their second row partnership.
Cameron Winnett is again named at full-back, with Rio Dyer and Josh Adams selected on the wings.
Among the replacements tight-head prop Archie Griffin is in line to win his first senior international cap this weekend, while Cai Evans would make his Six Nations debut.
Second row Will Rowlands, back row Taine Basham and scrum half Kieran Hardy all return to the Wales match day 23. Rowlands would be making his first Six Nations appearance since 2022 having missed last year’s Championship through injury.
Corey Domachowski (loose-head prop) and Ryan Elias (hooker) provide the remaining forward cover. Mason Grady is the final replacement back.
Gatland said: "We’ve been critical and tough on ourselves this week. That first half was nowhere near the standards we expect. We simply cannot start the same way this Saturday.
"We showed in the second half against Scotland what we are capable of. Now it’s about building on that performance and playing with some tempo from the off.
"We’ve made a few changes to the starting line-up this weekend which gives opportunities to the players coming in. We need to be accurate and keep our discipline.
"This is a massive game, not only because of the history and what it means to everyone in Wales. But it’s an opportunity to get things on track a bit more. England are in a rebuilding phase. We’ll go there with a lot of confidence we can build on that second-half and belief."