Six Nations 2024: England starting XV unchanged for Wales game at Twickenham

England have named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham.

It is the first time England have fielded an unchanged starting team since the World Cup final in 2019.

In the one change to the squad from the win in Italy, vice-captain Ellis Genge returns from injury to make the bench.

“We’re delighted to be back playing in front of a sold-out Twickenham Stadium this Saturday,” said head coach Steve Borthwick.

“The visit of the Wales team is always a fixture that creates a special atmosphere.”

Borthwick named a fresh-looking side for the Six Nations opener against Italy last weekend, with five players making their international debuts in the 27-24 win.

The England boss has therefore opted for continuity as his side look to build on the win in Rome.

“With a new player group and a number of new caps, we have tried to develop our game on both sides of the ball,” Borthwick added.

“Such changes take time, and I was pleased how quickly the players settled and adapted last weekend against Italy.”

Prop Genge was a late withdrawal from the squad to face the Azzurri but has recovered from a foot injury and replaces Beno Obano.

Experienced fly-half George Ford keeps his starting place after guiding England to victory in Rome, with Fin Smith among the replacements.

“It was a good start, you always want to start the Six Nations with a win,” vice-captain Ford, who shares the role with Genge, told BBC 5 Live Breakfast.

“There are many positives in it for me: the way it felt on the field, the way we had the endeavour to play with the ball and the way we responded to a few setbacks.

“But having said that, we need to be a lot better at the same time, we need to maybe be a bit more consistent in all areas to build the game better and score more points.

“That’s what we are going after this week.”

Meanwhile, Wales were dominated for 45 minutes by Scotland in Cardiff, before scoring a remarkable 26 unanswered points in the second half and narrowly losing 27-26.

Ford says he expects Wales to fix the issues that were so prevalent before half-time and believes Warren Gatland’s side will produce a markedly improved display from the start this weekend.

“We’ll be preparing for the best version of the Wales team, 100%. You saw how dangerous they were in the second half,” Ford added.

“The probability of them fixing up what happened in the first half is high, of course it is.

“So we have to prepare for the best version of Wales from the very start of the game, and we understand they are a team that never go away, they never stop, they fight and fight and fight.

“So we need a full-80 minute performance this weekend.”

Wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso could win his second Test cap if he comes off the England bench against the country of his birth.

Cardiff-born Feyi-Waboso played age-grade rugby for Wales but chose to make himself available for England at senior level.

“He came on and did really well against Italy. He has been an incredibly calm, composed and mature character,” Borthwick said.

“He’s trained very well and in the little time I’ve known him he doesn’t seem to get fazed. I only have good things to say about him.”

England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Genge, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F Smith, Feyi-Waboso