Six Nations: England name unchanged XV for first time since 2019 as Ellis Genge returns to bench vs Wales
Steve Borthwick names same starting side for England's Round 2 Six Nations clash vs Wales on Saturday (4.45pm); England announce unchanged XV for first time since 2019 Rugby World Cup final; England began 2024 with unconvincing 27-24 win vs Italy in Rome; prop Ellis Genge returns to bench
Thursday 8 February 2024 16:14, UK
England have named an unchanged starting XV for their Round 2 Six Nations clash vs Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, with prop Ellis Genge coming onto the bench.
Head coach Steve Borthwick oversees an England side which shows no changes week-to-week - the first time this has occurred since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
Loosehead Genge replaces Beno Obano as a replacement, having pulled out of the matchday squad late last week due to a foot injury.
England began their championship campaign with a 27-24 victory over Italy in Rome, while Wales fell to a 27-26 home defeat vs Scotland, fighting back from 27-0 behind in Cardiff.
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Exciting Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi Waboso, born and raised in Cardiff, is named among the England replacements.
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Jamie George captains the side from hooker, with loosehead Joe Marler and tighthead Will Stuart completing the front-row.
Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum partner one another in the second row, while blindside Ethan Roots, openside Sam Underhill and No 8 Ben Earl form the back row.
Alex Mitchell retains his place at scrum-half alongside fly-half George Ford, with Marcus Smith (calf) still out injured.
With Ollie Lawrence (hip) and Manu Tuilagi (groin) still absent, Fraser Dingwall starts at inside-centre again, alongside Henry Slade in midfield.
A back three of full-back Freddie Steward and wings Elliot Daly and Tommy Freeman completes the side.
In addition to Genge and Feyi-Waboso, hooker Theo Dan, tighthead Dan Cole, lock Alex Coles, back-row Chandler Cunningham South, scrum-half Danny Care and fly-half Fin Smith make up the bench.
"It was both pleasing and important to have started our Six Nations campaign in Rome with a victory," said Borthwick.
"However, we know there are areas of our game to improve as we prepare for this Saturday's game against a spirited Wales team.
"With a new player group and a number of new caps, we have tried to develop our game on both sides of the ball. Such changes take time, and I was pleased how quickly the players settled and adapted last weekend against Italy.
"We're delighted to be back playing in front of a sold-out Twickenham Stadium this Saturday. The visit of the Wales team is always a fixture that creates a special atmosphere.
"I have no doubt that this group of players are relishing the challenge before them and are looking forward to creating a very special experience for our supporters."
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George (c), 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Danny Care, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
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