The Six Nations is a biennial rugby union tournament involving the leading national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It was first played in 1883 as an alternative to the Home Nations Championship which had been contested between England, Scotland and Wales since 1892.
Josh Adams will be returning to the Wales team after being recalled by coach Warren Gatland. Faletau is also back in the squad, with England set to face a tough challenge.
In the summer of 2021, Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams last played together for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.
| Twickenham Stadium is the venue for this match. Saturday, February 26th 16:45 GMT kick-off |
| Match commentary is available on Radio 5 Live, Radio Wales, and Radio Cymru; text commentary and highlights are available on the Sport website and app. |
For Saturday’s Six Nations contest against England, Wales have recalled Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams.
Head coach Wayne Pivac made just two changes to the lineup that defeated Scotland, with Faletau replacing Jac Morgan in the back row and wing Adams replacing Louis Rees-Zammit.
Faletau has only played two games for Bath after returning from a seven-month layoff due to an ankle injury.
Adams was forced to sit out the triumph against Scotland at home due to a calf injury.
For the opening loss in Ireland, the Cardiff winger was selected as outside center, but he is back in his natural position at Twickenham.
In midfield, Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins start again, with Jonathan Davies on the bench.
After an excellent performance against Scotland, winger Alex Cuthbert holds his starting position, with Rees-Zammit freed to play for Gloucester against Leicester on Saturday.
In the opening two games of the Six Nations, Rees-Zammit has failed to make an impact.
Despite injuring his ankle in the warm-up against Ireland, the 21-year-old was able to participate in the Dublin loss.
Along with Dragons pair Taine Basham and Ross Moriarty, who changes to blind-side flanker, Faletau is straight in the back row as number eight.
Since returning to action after suffering an ankle injury while playing for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in the summer of 2021, Faletua has appeared twice for Bath.
The 31-year-old has represented Wales in 86 internationals and five Lions Tests.
Morgan made his first start against Scotland, while Aaron Wainwright, who will miss the whole match at Twickenham, was in the starting lineup from the start against Ireland.
Kieran Hardy of the Scarlets, Gareth Anscombe of the Ospreys, and Leon Brown of the Dragons all make their maiden Six Nations appearances in 2022.
“We’re thrilled to have the seasoned Faletau back,” Pivac added.
“He’s been training hard throughout the week and got in 80 minutes last week.” He adds a wealth of expertise to our team, and we’re thrilled to have him back.
“I’m also happy that Cuthbert has 50 Tests for his nation.” It’s a huge accomplishment.
“It’s also fantastic to have Adams back after his injury.” They’re both capable players.
“That implies Rees-Zammit will be the one to miss out this week.”
“However, we’ve considered the competition we’ll be facing as well as minor ailments that players may sustain from time to time, and we believe that Alex and Josh are the best choices for this match and the way the game will unfold.”
It is the first time in history that the captains of an England vs. Wales match have both hailed from the same club, with Dan Biggar guiding Wales and Courtney Lawes leading England.
Biggar (captain), T Williams; W Jones, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Moriarty, Basham, Faletau. Wales: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, Tompkins, Adams; Biggar (captain), T Williams; W Jones, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Moriarty, Basham, Faletau.
Lake, G Thomas, Brown, S Davies, Morgan, Hardy, Anscombe, and J Davies are the replacements.
