London (AFP)
Ruaridh McConnochie will make his England XV debut against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday in the 2019 World Championship pre-season, a week after being stripped of his first injury selection.
Retained for the match between the two teams in Twickenham, the winger of Bath could not take part in the British victory (33-19) last Sunday, because of a problem with a hip.
Coach Eddie Jones made two other changes for the trip to Cardiff from the previous week, with Maro Itoje's return to the XV and tenure from Courtney Lawes.
Very good in the victory of his Sunday, George Ford will be captain again. The usual wearer of the Owen Farrell armband, spared lately, returns only to the bench.
- Biggar supplie Anscombe -
Welsh side, opener Dan Biggar was called to overcome the absence of Gareth Anscombe.
The latter saw his World Cup hopes in Japan (September 20 - November 2) fly away because of a right knee injury, seriously injured anterior cruciate ligament in the defeat of last Sunday.
Welsh coach Warren Gatland made two other changes in his group: Jake Ball and James Davies - who will play alongside his big brother Jonathan for the first time in the selection - replace Adam Beard and Justin Tipuric.
The starting XV:
England: Daly - McConnochie, Joseph, Francis P. (Northampton), Cokanasiga - (o) Ford (cap), (m) Heinz - Ludlam, B. Vunipola, Lawes - Itoje, Launchbury - Cole, Cowan - Dickie, Genge.
Wales: Williams - North, Jo. Davies, H. Parkes, J. Adams - (o) Biggar, (m) G. Davies - Ja. Davies, Moriarty, Wainwright - Wyn Jones (Cape), Ball - Francis, K. Owens, N. Smith.
Replacements:
England: George, Marler, Sinkler, Kruis, Singleton, Youngs, Farrell, Tuilagi.
Wales: Dee, W. Jones, Lewis D., Shingler, Navidi, A. Davies, J. Evans, Watkin.
© 2019 AFP