England v Wales team announcement LIVE: Inexperienced English side to face full-strength Welsh
Follow the latest from Jones' and Gatand's press conferences as they name their matchday squads for the first Rugby World Cup warm-up clash on Sunday
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow the latest updates live from the England and Wales squad announcements as Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland name their sides for the opening Rugby World Cup warm-up at Twickenham this weekend.
England are set to kick off their World Cup preparations at home on Sunday as they welcome fierce rivals Wales, before travelling back to Cardiff next weekend for a return fixture ahead of games against Ireland and Italy. Wales meanwhile will follow up their two games against England with a double-header against the Irish.
With his final World Cup squad announcement scheduled for Monday, Eddie Jones has one or two big calls to make, and it’s expected that the likes of scrum-half Willi Heinz and full-back Ruaridh McConnochie will feature in Sunday’s match, along with the international return of Anthony Watson 17 months after suffering a serious Achilles injury. Follow the live news below.
What time are the squads announced?
Both England and Wales squads will be announced at 11am.
Eddie Jones will face the media at 11:30am, while Warren Gatland will speak to the press at 1pm.
When is it?
England vs Wales takes place on Sunday 11 August at Twickenham Stadium.
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 2pm BST.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Action from 1pm BST.
You can follow all the action live from Twickenham with The Independent’s live blog from 1pm.
On Willi Heinz:
SW: Willi's earned that opportunity, He was good for Gloucester and obviously Dan's had that setback, so someone's got to go in there. You;ve got to have a pool of half-backs, and he's in that pool so let's see what he can do.
On Heinz being vice-captain:
SW: It's a leadership group. I think you're underselling him.
On McConnochie:
SW: He's been outstanding. What do you think George?
George Ford: He's been really good. He's come in and performed. I've never had a teammate come in and ask so many questions which is great because he wants to learn.
On the back-row:
SB: It's very exciting. You look at players who have come through the camp and impressed and one of those is Lewis Ludlam. We've got versatility there as well.
On Heinz in training:
GF: He;s been brilliant since he came in. He's played really well for Gloucester and he's lead Gloucester too, but he's lead the energy on the training field too. The way he speaks on the field too is a massive advantage for someone outside him so I'm looking forward to playing with him.
On Piers Francis:
GF: He's someomen who trains the house down and will give it his all.
On Anthony Watson:
SW: It's great to have Anthony back. It's all about competition for places and he'll provide that.
On Charlie Ewels:
SB: I think what we've got is a great crop of second rows because there's so many really good players in that positions. Charlie and Joe should really compliment each other and I'm looking forward to seeing how they go at the weekend.
On Joe Marler's return:
Neil Hatley: It's almost like he hasn't been away. Hes been good, he brings bite and that physicality that we were looking for. He's been good working with the other props, working with the tightheads to let them know what works and what doesn't.
On Roy Keane coming into training this week:
GF: Yeah it was great. We were just lauyghing for half an hour I think! He gave an insight into his career, at Manchester United and the players he experienced. It was great to have him talk to the lads and get to ask him a few questions.
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