DRAGONS back row forwards Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty will start at Twickenham on Sunday as Warren Gatland goes fully-loaded for Wales first World Cup warm-up.
Wainwright starts at blindside while Moriarty gets the nod at number eight as Gatland's resists the temptation to wrap his big guns in cotton wool ahead of Japan.
Dragons hooker Elliot Dee is on the bench but there is no place in the 23 for tighthead Leon Brown or fit-again lock Cory Hill. Hallam Amos, who has swapped Rodney Parade for Cardiff Blues, also misses out.
Lock Alun Wyn Jones will become Wales’ most-capped rugby player, overtaking Gethin Jenkins, when he captains the side in his 135th Test (126 for his country and nine for the Lions).
Gatland names an unchanged backline from the Grand Slam clincher against Ireland while Wainwright comes into the pack for Josh Navidi, who is recovering from a minor injury, and Nicky Smith starts at loosehead.
“The squad are looking forward to this weekend and getting a game under their belt after a really intense preparation period,” said head coach Gatland.
“We have picked a strong-looking team and we are looking forward to seeing how they kick on after a successful couple of campaigns.
“These matches are really important leading into the RWC, to ensure that the players are both ready for the tournament but also to give players the opportunity to put their hands up for selection.
“There is a balance with selection, a need to mix continuity from what we have achieved with opportunity, and we will look to do that over the next couple of weeks.
“Looking at the first two matches, this block replicates what we are doing in the RWC with a six-day turnaround so it’s a good opportunity for us to prepare and mimic that schedule.”
Alun Wyn Jones will become his country's most capped rugby player of all time on Sunday when he leads the team against England at Twickenham 🏴 Gêm nodedig i'r capten wrth iddo arwain tîm profiadol yn erbyn Lloegr. #HWFN pic.twitter.com/wJJJsg015e
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 9, 2019
England have selected a more experimental side for their opener with Eddie Jones handing out opportunities ahead of his early squad announcement for Japan on Monday.
Gloucester scrum-half Willi Heinz and Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie make their Test debuts and George Ford captains the side from fly-half.
Piers Francis starts at inside centre while flankers Sam Underhill and Tom Curry play together in the back row for the first time.
#ENGvWAL | Your England squad to face Wales this Sunday at Twickenham in the #QuilterInternationals 🌹
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 9, 2019
Preview ➡ https://t.co/qC5I6SZ4uJ#CarryThemHome pic.twitter.com/FFBlCReL5X
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