England have dropped Tom Wood and brought Jack Clifford into an inexperienced back row to face Wales on Saturday.
The decision is one of two changes made by coach Eddie Jones for the Six Nations showdown, with Jack Nowell picked on the wing in place of Jonny May.
Clifford has recovered from a chest injury to make his first international appearance since last summer’s tour to Australia and is chosen ahead of the veteran Wood, who is demoted to the bench.
Maro Itoje remains at blindside flanker, means Wales will face a rookie back row of Itoje, Clifford and Nathan Hughes.
Harlequins forward Clifford, Itoje and Hughes have 20 caps between them, while Wales’ likely flankers Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric have 70 and 47 caps respectively.
Jones said of Clifford, “He is a hard-working, young player.
“He has got a good record against Wales, he had a superb game against them in May, he knows what he is going to expect and we’re looking forward to him making an impact in our back-row play.
“Tom Wood will also play his part later in the game off the bench as a finisher.”
There are two changes to the England starting XV that defeated France 19-16 at Twickenham last weekend. Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) starts on the right wing with Clifford (Harlequins) named at flanker to win his ninth cap.
Wood (Northampton Saints) and May (Gloucester) are included in an otherwise unchanged bench.
“It’s been a great week of focused preparation and we can’t wait to play Wales,” said England head coach Jones.
Jones described Saturday’s match against Wales as one of the “biggest” in world rugby as his side look to continue their unbeaten run under his guidance.
“Playing Wales in Cardiff is one of the biggest games in world rugby and we’re excited,” he said. “These are the games you want to be part of as a player and a coach.
“We don’t need extra motivation this week; we play Test rugby because we want to be the best for England. Every game for us is important and our supporters, and Wales is our next game so it’s the most important.”
England match-day 23 for the RBS 6 Nations game against Wales
- Mike Brown (vice captain, Harlequins, 56 caps), 14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps), 13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 30 caps), 12. Owen Farrell (vice captain, Saracens, 48 caps), 11. Elliot Daly (Wasps, 9 caps), 10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 31 caps), 9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 66 caps), 1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 47 caps), 2. Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints, 80 caps), 3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 70 caps), 4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 38 caps) , 5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 54 caps), 6. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 8 caps), 7. Jack Clifford (Harlequins, 8 caps), 8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps, 4 caps).
Replacements: 16. Jamie George (Saracens, 13 caps), 17. Matt Mullan (Wasps, 14 caps), 18. Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 4 caps), 19. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 46 caps), 20. James Haskell (Wasps, 71 caps), 21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 67 caps), 22. Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors, 4 caps), 23. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 23 caps).
