England vs Wales LIVE: Rugby World Cup warm-up build-up and updates from Twickenham

(Getty Images)

England and Wales continue their preparations for the Rugby World Cup with the second of back-to-back warm-up meetings.

Wales secured a strong victory in Cardiff last weekend, coming from behind as second half tries from Gareth Davies and George North helped Warren Gatland’s side to a 20-9 victory. England have since named their final World Cup squad, with Steve Borthwick hopes the clarity it provides his remaining 33 players will allow them to build cohesion over the next few weeks.

Perhaps in recognition of a need to build winning momentum ahead of the tournament, Borthwick has opted for a close to full-strength side as the hosts return to Twickenham for the first time since a record defeat to France during the Six Nations. Gatland, meanwhile, has freshened up his starting fifteen, an entirely new line-up ready to press for places in his World Cup selection, which will be named a week on Monday.

Follow all of the latest updates from Twickenham LIVE below:

England vs Wales – Rugby World Cup warm-up match

Owen Farrell eyes Wales ‘opportunity’ to show the real England

14:50 , Jack Rathborn

“We are all excited here,” he said. “This weekend is an opportunity to show what we can do. We want to be in the best place possible for the World Cup, and we’re building towards that. Playing Wales at Twickenham is a fantastic opportunity for the team and we’re all excited to get out there.”

(PA)

Dismal England left reeling by Wales in Rugby World Cup warm-up

14:40 , Jack Rathborn

A reminder about last week, then, where England put in a dismal display, hitting their confidence in the build-up to France.

Second-half tries from Gareth Davies and George North staved off a fifth successive home loss for Wales as England boss Steve Borthwick was given plenty to ponder less than 48 hours before he names his World Cup squad.

Few players left lasting impressions, although there were some impressive moments from fly-half Marcus Smith and No 8 Alex Dombrandt, with Wales responding superbly to a three-point interval deficit.

Dismal England left reeling by Wales in Rugby World Cup warm-up

Steve Borthwick avoids grand statements but England’s Rugby World Cup squad offers clues

14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

For England’s players, there is now certainty. After eight weeks in camp, an angsty performance against Wales and a restless Saturday night in a Cardiff hotel, the selection fretting is over; barring injury, illness or an act of God, Steve Borthwick has his chosen 33 for the World Cup.

Borthwick has named his squad a full three weeks before the World Rugby-imposed deadline. It is hoped that this clarity will be helpful; there was a sense in the England camp that the anxiety over selection among the players undermined their preparation for the trip to the Principality Stadium on Saturday. Now, those chosen have a clear run and peace of mind: Borthwick hopes his squad and preferred combinations have the time to build cohesion over the three remaining warm-up fixtures ahead of England’s tournament opener against Argentina on 9 September.

Steve Borthwick avoids big statements but England’s World Cup squad offers clues

Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more

14:20 , Jack Rathborn

The Rugby World Cup starts on September 8 when host nation France take on New Zealand, in a match set to kick-start a thrilling competition.

An unbalanced draw sets up intrigue where sides other than the favourites of Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa could go further into the tournament than expected.

It will be the first time that the tournament returns to a nation that has been a previous sole host, after the 2007 edition was also held in France.

Chile make their tournament debut after beating Canada and the USA in Americas qualifying, while Portugal are set to return to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.

There will be 20 teams headed to France and here’s a closer look at the squads and their fixtures:

Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Warren Gatland’s stamp is all over Wales

Last season’s Six Nations campaign – which marked Gatland returning for a second stint as Wales head coach – was one to forget, with a fifth-placed finish being accompanied by major off-field issues that almost led to a players’ strike. Fast-forward five months, though, and Wales appear to be a different beast. Demanding training camps in Switzerland and Turkey were followed by victory over England – “too fit for them” were Gatland’s words as he left the Principality Stadium last weekend – and it has been the New Zealander in his element, relishing a fourth World Cup campaign and loving nothing more than a chance to prove the doubters wrong.

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Vunipola and Earl take centre-stage

If given the chance, Daly and Henry Arundell will provide thrills on the wing, but it is in the back-row where England’s most interesting picks reside. Vunipola makes his first Test appearance since the autumn – and because of a knee injury his maiden outing of any description since April. As the squad’s only specialist number eight and most destructive carrier in the forwards, he needs to hit the ground running. Earl, meanwhile, is rewarded for his perseverance with a full debut after winning all 15 previous caps as a replacement. Dynamic in attack, the Saracens openside can help ignite England.

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dewi Lake in the spotlight

Flanker Jac Morgan led Wales with distinction at the Principality Stadium last Saturday, putting himself in pole position to skipper his country at the World Cup. Gatland, though, has said he will use the August schedule to assess captaincy candidates, and 24-year-old Ospreys hooker Lake now steps forward on his international return after shoulder and knee injuries meant he did not play Test rugby last season. Lake is a proven performer at the highest level, and he is likely to soak up the extra responsibility that awaits him.

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Momentum key for Wales

Wales have not won back-to-back Test matches since November 2021 when they beat Fiji and Australia, so there is a need to build on last weekend’s impressive 20-9 warm-up victory over England. Head coach Warren Gatland has made 15 changes as the clock continues ticking towards his World Cup squad announcement, and Saturday’s encounter will be the final opportunity for many players to impress. Wales have lost on their last six visits to Twickenham since the 2015 World Cup, which underlines the size of challenge ahead, but there were hints of a feelgood factor returning as a 65,000 crowd roared them home in Cardiff.

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

13:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England summon the cavalry

England have assembled their big guns as they enter must-win territory just two games into their World Cup warm-up campaign. Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola and Jamie George are among the front-line stars in action at Twickenham, and potentially only Ellis Genge and Tom Curry are missing from the strongest XV. With the pivotal opener against Argentina on September 9 fast approaching, England need a reassuring performance and to avoid a fourth successive defeat that would continue a worrying downward spiral.

Talking points as England host Wales in World Cup warm-up

Billy Vunipola starts as Steve Borthwick recalls big guns for second England warm-up clash with Wales

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Billy Vunipola is set to make his first appearance for England under Steve Borthwick after the head coach named a strong side for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up clash with Wales.

A rotated English side were beaten by a similarly under-strength Welsh team in Cardiff last weekend, but Borthwick returns to something closer to his first-choice team for the reverse fixture at Twickenham.

Owen Farrell captains the side from fly-half and is joined in midfield by a fit-again Ollie Lawrence and Joe Marchant, who squeezed out Henry Slade from the 33-player World Cup squad on Monday.

With Tom Curry out with an ankle injury, Ben Earl is set to make his first England start in the back-row alongside club teammate Vunipola after 15 consecutive bench appearances to begin his international career, while starlet Henry Arundell is an eye-catching starter in the back three.

Billy Vunipola starts as Steve Borthwick recalls big guns for second Wales clash

England vs Wales line-ups for Rugby World Cup warm-up match

12:59 , Jack Rathborn

England XV: Joe Marler, Jamie George, Will Stuart; Maro Itoje, George Martin; Courtney Lawes, Ben Earl, Billy Vunipola; Jack van Poortvliet, Owen Farrell (capt.); Elliot Daly, Ollie Lawrence, Joe Marchant, Henry Arundell; Freddie Steward.

Replacements: Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, Jonny Hill, Jack Willis; Ben Youngs, George Ford, Max Malins.

Wales XV: Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (capt.), Tomas Francis; Rhys Davies, Adam Beard; Dan Lydiate, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree; Tomos Williams, Owen Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Joe Roberts, Josh Adams; Liam Williams.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Kemsley Mathias, Dillon Lewis, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Basham; Kieran Hardy, Dan Biggar, Kieran Williams.

How to watch England vs Wales online and on TV

12:58 , Jack Rathborn

The Summer Nations Series encounter will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video in the United Kingdom, with English language coverage on the streaming platform from 5.10pm BST and a Welsh language broadcast commencing ten minutes later.

England vs Wales live stream: How to watch Rugby World Cup warm-up on TV

Joe Roberts to make debut as Wales change entire team to face England

12:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scarlets centre Joe Roberts will make his Wales debut in a team showing 15 changes for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up clash against England at Twickenham.

Roberts, 23, is partnered in midfield by Nick Tompkins, while there are also starts for the likes of wing Tom Rogers, fly-half Owen Williams, lock Rhys Davies and flanker Tommy Reffell.

Hooker Dewi Lake captains a side that sees Taine Plumtree, who lines up at No 8, handed his first Test start following an impressive performance off the bench in Wales’ 20-9 victory over England last weekend.

Joe Roberts to make debut as Wales change entire team to face England