Wales have named an unchanged starting 15 for their second-round Six Nations rugby union clash against England on Saturday.
After Wales’s thrilling 34-7 win over Scotland, head coach Warren Gatland decided to stay with the same starting line-up despite British and Irish Lion wing George North being available for selection.
North is named on the replacements bench after four weeks out with a knee injury.
Josh Adams has retained his position on the wing and gains his second cap.
Utility back Liam Williams has not been passed fit, but Gatland is confident the Saracens player will be available for the Ireland game on 24 February.
When asked if selection was tough, Gatland said:”No, it wasn’t a tough decision, we felt the starting 15 deserved another chance”. The New Zealander, who has a 50% win ratio against England, said he was confident of getting a win at if his team “front up and take the game to England from the start”.
Wales travel to Twickenham having failed to beat them in their previous five meetings in the Six Nations.
Wales pushed England all the way in the 2017 encounter at the Principality Stadium, but lost 16-21 after Elliot Daly’s length-of-the-field try in the dying minutes.
Many have expected this week’s build-up to include mind games from Gatland and his opposite number Eddie Jones, but the Wales coach was complimentary of England and called them “great side”.
England are expected to name their line-up on Thursday, and they will have to make changes to their team after scrum-half Ben Youngs was ruled out for the tournament following a knee injury.
