Preview: Wales v England talking points

Wales and England compete for a linout at the Principality Stadium during 2019 Six Nations Wales and England meet at the Principality Stadium this weekend (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

Wales and England meet in a second World Cup warm-up clash on Saturday, with the return fixture in Cardiff following England's 33-19 victory at Twickenham last weekend.

Here, we look at some of the talking points heading into the game.

World Cup bolter gets his chance

Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie has progressed to England's final 31-man World Cup squad with remarkable speed. A member of Great Britain's Olympic silver medal-winning rugby sevens squad in Rio three years ago, he made an irresistible selection case to England boss Eddie Jones during his first full season at the Recreation Ground. Possesses electric pace and he is a prolific try-scorer, so his Test debut on Saturday is eagerly-awaited.

Injuries an occupational hazard

Neither Wales nor England are yet halfway through their four-game competitive World Cup preparation schedules, and the spectre of injuries is never far away. Wales have already lost fly-half Gareth Anscombe (knee) and number eight Taulupe Faletau (broken collarbone) from their tournament plans, while England had a brief scare last Sunday when flanker Tom Curry went off due to a shoulder issue. All Jones and his opposite number Warren Gatland can do is keep their fingers crossed.

Wales forwards need to bounce back

Wales delivered an uncharacteristically poor performance in the set-piece exchanges last weekend, encountering problems in the scrum and seeing a misdirected lineout throw by hooker Ken Owens gift his opposite number Luke Cowan-Dickie a try just before half-time. Apart from call-ups for lock Jake Ball and flanker James Davies, it is the same eight on Saturday that started at Twickenham, and the Six Nations champions know they cannot afford a repeat showing.

Brothers in arms

It will be a red-letter day for the Davies brothers - centre Jonathan and flanker James - when they become the first siblings to start together for Wales since Jamie and Nicky Robinson 13 years ago. Jonathan is seemingly a nailed-on World Cup squad selection, but James has a golden opportunity to press his claims for further recognition in a back-row department where Wales have enviable strength. It will be only his fourth cap, and a first Wales appearance since June last year.

Warm-up Test in name only

Saturday's game is a pre-season encounter ahead of the far bigger World Cup picture, with rugby union's global extravaganza starting in Japan on September 20. But Wales versus England in front of more than 70,000 fans at the Principality Stadium is inevitably greater than its friendly billing. It might not be a Six Nations or World Cup Test match, yet that will not detract one bit from what is certain to be a full-blown contest in front of an expectant audience.

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