England head coach Steve Borthwick has given the fly-half jersey to Marcus Smith for their opening Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Saturday’s game will see prop Ellis Genge captain the side in the 140th meeting between the two nations as both teams get their preparations up and running.
Alongside Genge, hooker Jamie Blamire joins tighthead Will Stuart to complete the front-row, with David Ribbans partnering George Martin as the lock duo.
Tom Pearson starts at seven
The uncapped Tom Pearson packs down on the openside, linking up with Northampton teammate Lewis Ludlam on the blindside, with Alex Dombrandt at eight.
Harlequins pair Danny Care and Marcus Smith feature in the half-back berths, with Guy Porter partnering Joe Marchant in midfield for an intriguing match.
In the back three, Joe Cokanasiga lines up on the left wing, opposite Max Malins on the right, and the solid Freddie Steward is at full-back.
Amongst the replacements, Saracens teammates Theo Dan and Tom Willis, who starred in the Top 14 last season, will pick up their first caps should they feature.
Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Jonny Hill, Jack van Poortvliet, George Ford and Henry Slade will all be hoping to make an impact off the bench later in the game.
“England versus Wales in Cardiff is always an exciting and keenly contested fixture,” said England head coach Borthwick ahead of the Cardiff meeting.
“I am sure this Saturday will be no different as a tremendous first Test match of the Summer Nations Series.
“We have been impressed with how the whole squad has applied itself both on and off the field over this training camp. We are now looking forward to returning to Test match rugby as we continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France.”
Saturday’s clash against Wales is England’s first of four Summer Nations Series fixtures, with their next game against Wales at Twickenham on August 12.
Borthwick’s Red Rose outfit will kick off their Rugby World Cup pool campaign with a difficult assignment against Argentina on Saturday, September 9.
England line-up to face Wales
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Guy Porter, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 5 George Martin, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie Blamire, 1 Ellis Genge (c)
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Jonny Hill, 20 Tom Willis, 21 Jack van Poortvliet, 22 George Ford, 23 Henry Slade
Date: Saturday, August 5
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17:30 BST (16:30 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson (SRU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
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