Dan Lydiate will captain Wales against England on Sunday, as Warren Gatland’s men warm up for their summer tour to New Zealand at Twickenham.
England held off a Welsh fightback to win 25-21 on their way to an RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam in March, and Gatland has named a strong team as they seek revenge at the same venue.
Lydiate will continue to deputise for regular captain Sam Warburton, who will miss the match with a shoulder injury, while centre Scott Williams returns to the team after he suffered a knee injury against England in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Alun Wyn Jones will win his 99th cap in the second row who has also shaken off injury, while Hallam Amos keeps his place on the wing after he started the 67-14 win over Italy on the final RBS 6 Nations weekend.
Gatland sees the match as ideal preparation ahead of three games against the All Blacks next month.
“When you look at the summer series ahead, this is a really important match for the squad,” he said.
“When looking at previous summer tours and planning for New Zealand, we felt we needed greater preparation to prepare us for the step up in intensity and the match against England will provide that for us.
“It will be an important hit-out for both teams, and as ever it will be an important Test match as it’s England v Wales at Twickenham.
“There is a lot of continuity in our squad and a great amount of experience and that is going to be vital over the next five weeks.
“Dan led us exceptionally well in our last match so deserves to continue with those duties this weekend.”
Wales squad to face England: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Ross Moriarty, 7 Dan Lydiate, 8 Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Josh Turnbull, 20 James King, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Anscombe.
