
England has recalled center Manu Tuilagi and Wales has selected Taulupe Faletau for the first time in nearly a year for their Six Nations rugby match on Saturday
LONDON (AP) — England recalled center Manu Tuilagi and Wales selected Taulupe Faletau for the first time in nearly a year for their Six Nations rugby match at Twickenham on Saturday.
Tuilagi has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in the November internationals and was one of four changes in personnel made by England coach Eddie Jones on Thursday.
In other changes from the 33-0 win over Italy, Courtney Lawes returned at blindside flanker after completing return-to-play protocols after a concussion and took over as captain from Tom Curry.
Kyle Sinckler, who will make his 50th appearance for England, and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie came into the front row.
Maro Itoje switches from flanker back to the second row, while Ben Youngs could become England’s most-capped men’s player of all time — with 115 appearances — after being named as the scrumhalf replacement for a second straight game.
Faletau is fit again after seven months out with an ankle injury and returns at No. 8 for his first game for Wales since last year’s Six Nations. His selection meant Ross Moriarty switched to blindside flanker and Taine Basham move to openside.
Josh Adams was preferred on the wing to Louis Rees-Zammit.
Both England and titleholder Wales have won one and lost one of their opening two games of the tournament.
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Lineups:
England: Freddie Steward, Max Malins, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jack Nowell, Marcus Smith, Harry Randall; Alex Dombrandt, Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes (captain), Maro Itoje, Charlie Ewels, Kyle Sinckler, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge. Reserves: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Nick Isiekwe, Sam Simmonds, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Elliot Daly.
Wales: Liam Williams, Alex Cuthbert, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar (captain), Tomos Williams; Taulupe Faletau, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty, Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones. Reserves: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Jac Morgan, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Anscombe, Jonathan Davies.
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