England vs Wales: Six Nations squad news, how to watch, line-ups, odds
Neither rival can afford another defeat if they are to stay in the hunt for Championship glory, with both having opened the 2022 tournament with defeats before bouncing back in the second round.
Eddie Jones’ England were beaten again by former foes Scotland at Murrayfield after a late collapse but recovered in the east after perennial wooden spoon recipients Italy 33-0 in Rome last times.
Wales, plagued by injuries to Wayne Pivac, meanwhile opened their title defense with a 29-7 loss to Ireland in Dublin but then showed tremendous determination to slip past Scotland 20-17 at Cardiff thanks to substitute captain Dan Biggar’s drop goal.
With France looking so ominous in their pursuit of a Grand Slam triumph and every nation yet to play Les Bleus next month, both teams will be desperate to keep their title hopes alive with another victory here.
England v Wales kick off date, time and venue
England v Wales is scheduled to kick off at 4.45pm GMT on Saturday 26th February 2022.
The Six Nations competition will take place at Twickenham Stadium in south-west London.
How to watch England vs Wales
TV channel: England v Wales is broadcast live for free on ITV, with coverage starting at 4pm.
Direct: Fans can also watch the game play out live online via the ITV website or ITV Hub.
Live: You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE match blog, with expert analysis from Will Macpherson at Twickenham.
England vs Wales team news
England have been boosted by the returns of Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes for Saturday’s crucial fixture, although Joe Marchant – who started against Scotland and Italy – will not be involved after being left out of the team on Tuesday.
Alfie Barbeary, Jamie Blamire, Joe Heyes, Joe Launchbury, Orlando Bailey, George Furbank, Louis Lynagh, Raffi Quirke and Adam Radwan also returned to their clubs after Jones whittled down a 35-man practice squad to 25 names.
The Australian must decide whether to stay with Harry Randall and Alex Dombrandt after both impressing against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.
As for Wales, Pivac is set to make the bold call for young star wing Louis Rees-Zammit, who is expected to be available for Gloucester this weekend.
In-form Josh Adams will start on a wing instead, while renaissance man Alex Cuthbert will earn his 50th senior cap on the opposite flank.
Taulupe Faletau could be recalled after recovering from a long ankle injury, but the likes of influential skipper Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric all remain on the sidelines.
Lineups England vs Wales
England and Wales are due to confirm their matchday squads on Thursday. Then come back for the official compositions.
England vs Wales head to head (h2h) history and results
These two rivals have met 137 times, with England winning 65 of those contests and Wales 60, plus 12 draws.
England have won three of the last five games, despite losing 40-24 in a dramatic clash at the Principality Stadium last year as Wales sealed a triple crown.
England vs Wales Prediction
England impressed for 40 minutes against Italy, but the second half was mostly a particularly scrappy affair which heightened concerns over their current distance from the best teams on the planet with the World Cup imminent. in France next year.
Marcus Smith was again excellent in Rome and formed a great axis with the electric Randall and Dombrandt, but it remains to be seen if this trio will remain intact here with Jones likely to return to the greater experience offered by the likes of Ben Youngs .
Much will again depend on Smith both in an attacking sense and from the tee, but he still seems to rise to the occasion completely unfazed.
Wales will no doubt fight valiantly once again, but they are crippled by unavailable players.
England to win an attrition contest by seven points.
England vs Wales odds
England win: 1/6
Wales win: 9/2
Draw: 33/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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