Wales plump for new props against England

Taulupe Faletau is set for his first match of 2017 while the Welsh will start with a new front row duo when they face England at home in the Six Nations.

Wales will start with new props Rob Evans and Tomas Francis in their Six Nations match against England in Cardiff on Saturday, with back-rower Taulupe Faletau, who has not played any rugby in 2017, named among the replacements.

"Both Rob and Tomas made a big impact off the bench last weekend and deserve their opportunity to start," coach Rob Howley said.

After fitness tests on Thursday morning, Howley was able to name an unchanged back line with five-eighth Dan Biggar and winger George North recovering from knocks to start in Cardiff.

"We have had a short turnaround but Dan and George have worked hard with the medics and we are pleased to be able to name them," Howley said.

Nicky Smith and Samson Lee, the starting props in Rome, drop to the bench alongside Faletau, hoping for his first action since suffering a knee injury playing for his club on Christmas Eve.

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davie, Scott Williams, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty. Interchange: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Jamie Roberts.


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Source: AAP



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