Wales team v England: Matt Sherratt makes experimental change as injury crisis strikes
Matt Sherratt has made two changes to his starting XV this weekend.
Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has made two changes to his side ahead of their grudge match with England, as Joe Roberts and Aaron Wainwright come into the starting XV.?
Despite losing all four of their Six Nations Tests this year, Wales can still avoid a second-successive wooden spoon should results go their way. A win for England, however, could see them crowned champions if results also go their way.
Matt Sherratt makes two changes to squad for England Test
Scarlets man Roberts, usually a centre and has never started on the wing, is deployed out wide this weekend in the absence of Tom Rogers and Josh Adams, who are both unavailable through injury. Wainwright comes into the side at blindside flanker and replaces Tommy Reffell. Jac Morgan slides over to occupy the number seven shirt.
In the backline, Roberts slots straight into the back-three alongside Blair Murray and Ellis Mee. Max Llewellyn again partners Ben Thomas in the centres, with Gareth Anscombe and Tomos Williams retained in the halves.
Up front, Taulupe Faletau keeps his shirt at eight, joining the aforementioned Wainwright and Morgan. In the locks, Sherratt has once again turned to Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands, with WillGriff John, Elliot Dee and Nicky Smith starting in the front-row.
The interim boss has also avoided the temptation to deploy a 6-2 split on the bench and instead gone with the more traditional 5-3. Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Rhodri Williams and Jarrod Evans all retain their spots, while the aforementioned Reffell joins Nick Tompkins as the new names on the replacements list.
Commenting on the Test, Sherratt said: “Wales?v England is always a special occasion and we know it will be an incredible atmosphere at Principality Stadium.”
He added: “We’re excited to finish our campaign at home and are looking to put in our best performance on the pitch on Saturday.”
This will also be Sherratt’s final Test as Wales head coach before returning to Cardiff on a permanent basis.
Wales team to face England in full
Wales:?15 Blair Murray, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Joe Roberts, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams,?8 Taulupe Faletau,?7 Jac Morgan (C),?6 Aaron Wainwright,?5 Dafydd Jenkins,?4 Will Rowlands,?3 WillGriff John,?2 Elliot Dee,?1 Nicky Smith
Replacements:?16 Dewi Lake, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Nick Tompkins
Date:?Saturday, March 15
Venue:?Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off:?16:45 GMT
Referee:?Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees:?Pierre Brousset (France), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO:?Mike Adamson (Scotland)
