England vs Wales team news: Anthony Watson and Mark Wilson return as Eddie Jones makes two changes

Anthony Watson and Mark Wilson will make their first international starts of the season as they return from injury for England’s Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday after Sam Underhill was ruled out with injury.

Eddie Jones has made two changes to the side that beat Ireland 24-12 two weeks ago, with Watson replacing Jonathan Joseph on the wing and Wilson coming in for the injured Underhill, who was named man-of-the-match against Scotland earlier this tournament. Joseph meanwhile misses out on the matchday squad due to selection reasons.

Watson’s inclusion on the right wing sees Jonny May switch back to the left wing, while Joseph, George Furbank, Underhill and Lewis Ludlam are the retained players who miss out this week.

The rest of the squad resembles the one that defeated the Irish so convincingly at Twickenham, meaning Owen Farrell captains the side and a six-two split on the bench is retained.

Joe Marler continues at loosehead prop with Mako Vunipola stood down this week after travelling back from Tonga via Hong Kong, meaning the England camp were reluctant to bring him into camp due to the fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak that has also claimed next weekend’s finale between Italy and England in Rome.

Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler join Marler in the front row with Maro Itoje and George Kruis continuing at lock, while Courtney Lawes and Tom Curry complete the back row with on-loan Sale Sharks flanker Wilson, who has made just one appearance for the club this season since suffering a knee injury.

Ben Youngs is retained at scrum-half after signing a new deal with Leicester earlier this week, with George Ford at fly-half and Manu Tuilagi partnering Farrel in the centre, while May and Watson are joined by Elliot Daly in the back three.

Ellis Genge has to make do with another week on the replacements’ bench, where he is joined by Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stuart, while both Joe Launchbury and Charlie Ewels feature alongside Saracens back-row Ben Earl, leaving just Willi Heinz and Henry Slade to cover the backs.

“We’ve had a really good two week preparation – a fallow week in Oxford where we had good training days last Thursday and Friday and three good training days this week culminating in a very good session Wednesday,” Jones said.

“Wales are a very tough, well-coached side and they’ve been building on their attack since Wayne Pivac has taken over.

“It’s always a tough game against Wales and we know they will bring that toughness to all the contest areas.

“We’re looking forward to playing at home again and getting back out in front of our fantastic fans.”

Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Tom Curry.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Joe Launchbury, Charlie Ewels, Ben Earl, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade.