Anthony Watson and Mark Wilson will make their first appearances of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations as Eddie Jones has opted for two changes to England’s starting XV that will take on Wales at Twickenham.
Both men’s most recent game for England was the World Cup final defeat to South Africa in November but they have recovered from injury to regain their place in Jones’s team.
Back-rower Wilson had been sidelined by a knee complaint but has proven his fitness by completing two matches for club side Sale Sharks and comes in for Sam Underhill at No.7.
Meanwhile, Watson has been dealing with a calf issue but is deemed fit enough to start on the wing ahead of Bath Rugby club-mate Jonathan Joseph.
Both Joseph and Underhill drop out of the matchday 23 entirely, the latter dealing with an unspecified injury, which means the bench is unchanged from the victory over Ireland last time out.
After losing to France in Paris in Round 1, England have bounced back with wins over Scotland and Ireland to put themselves right back in the Championship hunt.
And Jones believes his side are well-prepared to combat the Welsh threat at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon.
Jones said: “We’ve had a really good two-week preparation – a fallow week in Oxford where we had good training days last Thursday and Friday and three good training days this week culminating in a very good session Wednesday.
“Wales are a very tough, well-coached side and they’ve been building on their attack since Wayne Pivac has taken over.
“It’s always a tough game against Wales and we know they will bring that toughness to all the contest areas.
“We’re looking forward to playing at home again and getting back out in front of our fantastic fans.”
England starting XV to face Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, March 7 15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 42 caps) 14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps) 13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 42 caps) 12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 82 caps) (c) 11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps) 10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 68 caps) 9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 98 caps) 1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 70 caps) 2 Jamie George (Saracens, 48 caps) 3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 34 caps) 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 37 caps) 5 George Kruis (Saracens, 44 caps) 6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 84 caps) 7 Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks, 18 caps) 8 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 22 caps)
Replacements 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps) 17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps) 18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 2 caps) 19 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 64 caps) 20 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 14 caps) 21 Ben Earl (Saracens, 2 caps) 22 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 12 caps) 23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps)
