TWICKENHAM – Wales have named their team for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham, with Louis Rees-Zammit set to make a rare start at fullback. The announcement, made by head coach Steve Tandy, marks a significant shift for the versatile player who recently returned to international rugby after a stint in the NFL.
Rees-Zammit’s inclusion at 15 is perhaps the most notable selection in a Wales side looking to make a strong start to the clash. He previously featured twice on the wing against Japan and the All Blacks in November following his return from American football, but has predominantly played fullback for his club, Bristol Bears.
The back three is completed by wings Ellis Mee and Josh Adams, with Tom Rogers and Blair Murray missing out on selection. In the centres, Ben Thomas and Eddie James will partner each other, while Bath youngster Louis Hennessey will have to wait for his first cap.
The half-back pairing sees Dan Edwards at fly-half and Tomos Williams at scrum-half, tasked with directing the Welsh attack. Up front, Josh Macleod makes a welcome return to the side, his first appearance for Wales since July of last year. He joins Aaron Wainwright and Alex Mann in the loose forward trio, with Olly Cracknell and James Botham not included in the squad.
The Welsh pack is anchored by the lock pairing of Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins, while the front row consists of Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake – who captains the side – and Nicky Smith.
Tandy has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, prioritizing forward depth to combat what is expected to be a physical challenge from the England pack. Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, and Tomas Francis provide cover in the front row, with Ben Carter, Taine Plumtree, and Harri Deaves offering second-row and flanker options. Kieran Hardy and Mason Grady complete the replacements, providing backline versatility.
Speaking about the team selection, Tandy emphasized the importance of the fixture and the squad’s preparation. “Wales v England is always a special game with all the history behind the fixture,” he said. “We know they’re playing some outstanding rugby and they’re in great form. But I know how much it means to our players playing for the nation and representing Wales.”
He continued, praising the squad’s training intensity and their eagerness to attack the game. “The way the squad trained this week has been great. I want to see us get out and really attack the game on Saturday and give the best account of ourselves. Opening the Six Nations at Twickenham is historic and it’s something we can’t wait to do.”
Tandy also highlighted the significance of Macleod’s return, acknowledging his resilience and dedication. “Josh has had some rough luck with injuries, but the way he’s come back, the way he leads, his attention to detail around his week plan, the way he trains, the intensity he brings to everything he does is excellent. It’s going to be awesome to see him on the weekend.”
Wales team to play England:
15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Josh Macleod, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Harri Deaves, 22 Kieran Hardy, 23 Mason Grady
The match is scheduled for a kick-off at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with Pierre Brousset officiating. Nic Berry and Morné Ferreira will serve as assistant referees, while Tual Trainini will be the Television Match Official (TMO), and Brett Cronan will be the Football Performance and Review Official (FPRO).
This fixture promises to be a compelling start to the Six Nations, with both Wales and England eager to establish early momentum in the championship. The selection of Rees-Zammit at fullback adds an element of intrigue to the Welsh attack, and his performance will be closely watched as Wales aim to make a statement on English soil.
