2024 Six Nations: England v Wales Preview

Steve Borthwick’s side will target a second win in as many games against rivals Wales as England aims to continue a strong start to the 2024 Six Nations.

The prestigious 2024 Guinness Six Nations are set to continue this weekend, and Steve Borthwick’s England is set to come face to face with rivals Wales, who are led by their Head Coach, Warren Gatland. A second win in as many outings in this year’s Six Nations is the target for Borthwick’s side to continue their perfect start.

England will also have their sights set on attempting to win their first Six Nations crown since winning it for the 7th time back in 2020. This followed previous triumphs in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2016 and 2017.

The opening game of this year’s Championship for England was against Italy at the iconic and historic Stadio Olimpico. In a tight, tense and enthralling game in Rome, it was Steve Borthwick’s side who emerged with what was a deserved 24 – 27 victory.

England’s tries came from Elliot Daly (19’) and Alex Mitchell (44’), whilst all of their 5 penalties were converted by George Ford (15’, 32’, 37’, 53’, 66’). Ford also scored his team’s sole conversion of the afternoon (45’).

In terms of metres gained, England gained 347.1 compared to Italy’s 332.5. Alessandro Garbisi (10’), Tommaso Allan (25’) and Monty Ioane (84’) got the tries for the home side that day, whilst Allan also got their sole penalty (4’). Allan (12’, 26’) and Garbisi (85’) contributed all of Italy’s conversions too.

As for Wales, they were very narrowly defeated 26 – 27 against Wales at the Principality Stadium last time out in their opening game of the 2024 Six Nations Championship. The players to score a try that day for Warren Gatland’s side were James Botham (47’), Rio Dyer (52’), Aaron Wainwright (60’) and Alex Mann (67’). Wales scored no penalties, but Ioan Lloyd got all three tries for them (53’, 60’, 68’).

The most recent Six Nations game between these two nations was, of course, at the 2023 edition of the Guinness Six Nations. In a game also played at the Millennium Stadium, England won 10 – 20. The tries for England were scored by Anthony Watson, Kyle Sinckler and Ollie Lawrence, whilst the only conversions and penalty scored by Borthwick’s side was Owen Farrell.

As for Wales that day, Louis Rees-Zammit scored their only try, while Leigh Halfpenny scored their sole conversion and penalty that day.

Overall, England and Wales have met on 141 occasions in international rugby since their first in 1881. It is England with a superior record of 61 wins compared to Wales’ 61. There have been just 12 draws between them over the years.

Now we move on to Saturday’s game between these two rivals at Twickenham Stadium. Below are how both England and Wales are set to line-up in Cardiff.

England Starting XV: 15 Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), 14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), 13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), 12 Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), 11 Elliot Daly (Saracens), 10 George Ford (Sale Sharks), 9 Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), 1 Joe Marler (Harlequins), 2 Jamie George (Saracens, Captain), 3 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens), 5 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), 6 Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs), 7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby) & 8 Ben Earl (Saracens).

England Replacements: 16 Theo Dan (Saracens), 17 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), 18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), 19 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), 20 Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), 21 Danny Care (Harlequins), 22 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints) and 23 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs).

Wales Starting XV: 15 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby), 14 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), 13 George North (Ospreys), 12 Nick Tompkins (Saracens), 11 Rio Dyer (Dragons), 10 Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets), 9 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby), 1 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), 2 Elliot Dee (Dragons), 3 Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby), 4 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs, Captain), 5 Adam Beard (Ospreys), 6 Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby/Caerdydd), 7 Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers) & 8 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Wales Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias (Scarlets), 17 Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby), 18 Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby), 19 Will Rowlands (Racing 92), 20 Taine Basham (Dragons), 21 Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), 22 Cai Evans (Dragons) & 23 Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby).

Excitement and anticipation are building rapidly ahead of the second round of 2024 Guinness Six Nations matches to get underway, including England’s clash with rivals Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, 10th February 2024 (16:45).

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