Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named his starting XV to face England in this weekend’s Six Nations opener at Twickenham.

It will be the first time Tandy, who was appointed last year, will take charge of a Six Nations game for Wales – who face a stern test against Steve Borthwick’s men.

Hooker Dewi Lake captains the side in the absence of Jac Morgan, who misses the tournament through injury.

He will be joined in the front row by props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin, while Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard make up the second row. Completing the backs are flankers Alex Mann and Josh MacLeod, alongside No.8 Aaron Wainright.

Louis Rees-Zammitt makes his Six Nations return – and a first international appearance at Twickenham – at fullback. Also starting are wingers Ellis Mee and Josh Adams, and centres Eddie James and Ben Thomas.

Dan Edwards starts at fly-half, with Tomos Williams at scrum-half.

England meanwhile will be skippered by hooker Jamie George, who starts alongside props Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes. Alex Coles and Ollie Chessum start at 4 and 5 respectively, while No.8 Ben Earl is joined in the back row by Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill.

Alex Mitchell will play scrum-half next to experienced fly-half George Ford. Making up the backs are centres Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman, wingers Henry Arundell and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Freddie Steward completes the lineup at fullback.

Lineups

Wales

• 15. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears)
• 14. Ellis Mee (Scarlets)
• 13. Eddie James (Scarlets)
• 12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby)
• 11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby)
• 10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys)
• 9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)

• 1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers)
• 2. Dewi Lake (C) (Ospreys)
• 3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby)
• 4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs)
• 5. Adam Beard (Montpellier)
• 6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby)
• 7. Josh MacLeod (Scarlets)
• 8. Aaron Wainright (Dragons)

Subs

• 16. Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby)
• 17. Rhys Carre (Saracens)
• 18. Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby)
• 19. Ben Carter (Dragons)
• 20. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets)
• 21. Harri Deaves (Ospreys)
• 22. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys)
• 23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby)

England

• 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
• 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)
• 13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
• 12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
• 11. Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby)
• 10. George Ford (Sale Sharks)
• 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

• 1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
• 2. Jamie George (C) (Saracens)
• 3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
• 4. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)
• 5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
• 6. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby)
• 7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
• 8. Ben Earl (Saracens)

Subs

• 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks)
• 17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)
• 18. Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints)
• 19. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
• 20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
• 21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
• 22. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
• 23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)