England vs Wales RWC 2015: What time does it start and where can I watch it?
A look ahead to the Pool A fixture at Twickenham
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Your support makes all the difference.The Anglo-Welsh rivalry will be renewed on the world stage for the third time in history when England and Wales meet at Twickenham on Saturday in Pool A.
It’s a big game for…
George North: When he’s on his game, he is truly on. He scored all four of Northampton’s tries against the Ospreys in the European Champions Cup, but he hasn’t had much spark of late in the red of Wales. Wales will be hoping that their big man avoids another head knock and scores some more tries.
Teams...
England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Brad Barritt, Sam Burgess, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Chris Robshaw (c), Tom Wood; Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling; Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Joe Marler.
Replacements: Rob Webber, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Joe Launchbury, James Haskell, Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford, Alex Goode.
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate; Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies; Tomas Francis, Scott Baldwin, Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Alex Cuthbert.
Best stat…
58-56-12: This is England’s Win-Lose-Draw rate against the men in red. 126 tests and 134 years later, England have the advantage when playing in England, having won 36 matches to Wales's 19.
Remember when…
Wales refused to come out of the tunnel? Like Henry in one of the original Rev. W. Awdry stories, Sam Warburton refused to leave the changing room before the anthems in this year’s Six Nations clash, planning to leave England out on the pitch for longer. Chris Robshaw had other ideas…
Player to watch…
Tom Wood: While considered lucky to not get a yellow card in the opening fixture, Wood has exploded back into the starting shirt. Injury in the Six Nations opened the door for James Haskell, but his form in the World Cup build up meant he could push his way back as on one of the leaders of the team. The breakdown battle with the Welsh captain will surely be a talking point.
Past three-meetings…
Wales 16 (Webb) England 21 (Watson, Joseph)
England 29 (Care, Burrell) Wales 18
Wales 30 (Cuthbert (2)) England 3
Form guide…
England: WWWLWW
Wales: WWLWWW
Vital information…
Kick-off: 20.00
TV: Live on ITV, highlights on ITV
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