England select the same starting XV for Wales game on Saturday that started against Ireland a fortnight ago. On the bench, Jamie George (the best hooker in the country) is injured, so is replaced by Luke Cowan-Dickie of Exeter, Kieran Brookes is fit again, so gets nod over Paul Hill, Joe Launchbury replaces the injured Courtney Lawes, and Manu "Bosh" Tuilagi makes his first appearance since June 2014.
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| Luke Cowan-Dickie, and yes that is a mullet... |
Wales will apply Warrenball as normal, try to disrupt the lineout, use back row and Roberts to target Ford at 10, and try and use the height advantage of their two giant wingers. They will also, bearing in mind England's high penalty count, target those with short fuses like Brown, Hartley and Haskell, who have to play with their heads as much as their hearts. The battle of the no.8's, close friends (not related as widely publicised), Faleatu and Billy Vunipola, will be compelling.
England team: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (capt), Dan Cole; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Joe Launchbury, Jack Clifford, Danny Care, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly.
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