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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Will Freeman

England lineup vs Wales: Courtney Lawes and Harry Randall decisions made for Six Nations clash

Bristol's Harry Randall will start once more for England against Wales, in place of Ben Youngs, who could become England's all-time record appearance maker if he comes off the bench.

Eddie Jones has made four changes to his starting XV with Courtney Lawes coming in for Nick Isiekwe to captain the side from blindside flanker.

Manu Tuilagi also returns in place of Joe Marchant at inside-centre, with the Sale man making his first England appearance since the autumn internationals at inside-centre with Henry Slade and Marcus Smith either side of him.

Alex Dombrandt keeps his place at Number 8 after impressing against Italy, meaning that Sam Simmonds will start on the bench with Simmonds' Exeter teammate Jack Nowell starting on the wing.

Maro Itoje starts alongside Bath's Charlie Ewels in the second row with Tom Curry once again in at openside flanker while Jamie George, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Nick Isiekwe, Sam Simmonds, George Ford and Elliot Daly are on the bench.

"We’ve prepared very well for this game, the squad have really come together on and off the pitch, Wales are a good, tough side and Six Nations champions and it will make for an exciting Test match in front of a full Twickenham crowd," Jones told England rugby.

"We’ve got a talented, young, hungry squad who have trained with real intensity this week. We’re ready to go at them and can’t wait to play in front of our supporters again.

"It will also be a special match with two significant milestones for Ben and Kyle. Both have made outstanding contributions to English rugby so far in their careers. We congratulate them and we know there is more to come ahead for them."

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