Six Nations 2021: Wales v England – Jamie George returns to starting XV

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Dates: Saturday, 27 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT
Coverage: Watch live coverage on BBC One or BBC iPlayer; listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales or BBC Radio Cymru and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

Hooker Jamie George will return to the England starting XV for the Six Nations game against unbeaten Wales after Eddie Jones selected an experienced team for Saturday’s game in Cardiff.

Full-back Elliot Daly will win his 50th cap as George Ford, Owen Farrell and Henry Slade continue in the midfield.

Uncapped George Martin is on the bench.

Defending Six Nations champions England started their campaign with a chastening defeat by Scotland at Twickenham, before dispatching Italy 41-18 a week later.

“The best is yet to come from this England team,” vowed Jones.

“We know we’ll be up against a strong Welsh challenge on Saturday, but we’ve worked really hard in training this week and have got a very good team to face it.”

Jones added: “It’s the sort of game you have to win not once but maybe two or three times – they’ll keep coming and we’ll keep coming.”

Jones has stuck with a number of players who are not at the top of their game, such as number eight Billy Vunipola, who admitted his recent performances have been “rubbish”.

But Vunipola has been backed to produce a dominant performance as England look to keep their title hopes alive in the Welsh capital – as have fellow Saracens players Daly, George and captain Farrell.

Lawes fell in training on Wednesday, injuring a muscle in his chest, and Jones said the forward needed “further diagnosis” to determine his participation in the rest of the tournament.

‘Old-fashioned’ Martin in line for debut

Leicester Tigers’ teenage back row Martin takes the place of Jack Willis – who suffered a serious injury against Italy – on the bench as Jones again opts for six forwards and just two backs among the replacements.

The 19-year-old made his Premiership debut in 2020 before suffering a knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the year.

He returned to the pitch at Leicester in January and was named in the England Under-20s squad, but is now set for senior honours.

Jones described Martin as an “old-fashioned six”, praising his defensive and ball-carrying abilities as well as his line-out skills.

“With time he may be able to play lock as well,” Jones added. “He has a good work ethic and approach to training. If he keeps working hard he’s going to be a good player.”

England team to face Wales

England: Daly; Watson, Slade, Farrell, May; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Wilson, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Ewels, Martin, Earl, Robson, Malins.