Ruaridh McConnochie will make his highly-anticipated England debut when the Red Rose visit Wales on Saturday.
The Bath wing was a surprise pick in Eddie Jones’ final Rugby World Cup squad and will show what he’s made of in Cardiff against the Grand Slam champions.
Jones has made three changes to the XV which beat Wales 33-19 last Sunday at Twickenham, with Maro Itoje restored to the second row in place of Charlie Ewels and Courtney Lawes in at flanker in place of Tom Curry.
Lawes will start at blindside, with Lewis Ludlam moving across to the take the No.7 jersey. Anthony Watson is the man replaced by McConnochie, while Owen Farrell, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler are included in the matchday 23 for the first time in this series.
“Our selection strategy for our second game is similar to the first, so a bit of a mix-and-match approach. We are looking at different combinations and have a particular strategy for this game,” Jones said.
“The game is very much about ourselves preparing for the World Cup and we are respectful that we have got such strong opposition at their home ground. We are looking forward to it.
“The squad has been progressing well this week and I think there is a realisation among the squad now that the hard work really starts, nothing has been achieved.”
England team to face Wales:
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens) 14. Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath) 13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath) 12. Piers Francis (Northampton Saints) 11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath) 10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers) (c) 9. Willi Heinz (Gloucester) 1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers) 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) 3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) 4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps) 5. Maro Itoje (Saracens) 6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) 7. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints) 8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Replacements:
16. Jamie George (Saracens) 17. Joe Marler (Harlequins) 18. Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) 19. George Kruis (Saracens) 20. Jack Singleton (Saracens) 21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) 22. Owen Farrell (Saracens) 23. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
