Wales vs England: Six Nations 2025 showdown at the Principality Stadium

As Wales prepare to face England in their Six Nations finale at a sold-out Principality Stadium this Saturday, interim head coach Matt This Saturday, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff will host one of rugby’s most storied rivalries as Wales face England in their final Six Nations match of the 2025 tournament. For Wales, this is a crucial opportunity to break a 16-match losing streak and avoid a second consecutive wooden spoon. The home crowd will play a pivotal role in lifting the team, as they look to upset their old rivals and finish the tournament on a high.

Team News
Wales head coach Matt Sherratt has announced his team to face England in this crucial encounter, which is part of Super Saturday. England arrive in Cardiff with the opportunity to secure the championship title if they emerge victorious, adding extra significance to the fixture.

Wales will be looking to break their recent losing streak against their old rivals, having last beaten England in the Six Nations back in 2021. England have won the last three encounters, though two of those matches were decided by a narrow margin of four points or fewer. Last year’s contest was particularly agonising for Wales, as George Ford’s 71st-minute penalty saw them slip to a 16-14 defeat at Twickenham.

Sherratt has had to contend with injury concerns ahead of this match. As reported earlier in the week, Cardiff winger Josh Adams and Scarlets back Tom Rogers have been ruled out. Adams sustained a hamstring injury during training, while Rogers fractured his thumb in last weekend’s match against Scotland. Interim coach Sherratt has opted not to call up additional players, with Josh Hathaway expected to start in Rogers’ place. His selection sees Joe Roberts starting on the wing, a bold move that underscores the need for adaptability in the squad.

Despite these absences, Sherratt’s side will take confidence from the fighting spirit shown in narrow losses to Ireland and Scotland.
England, too, have their injury concerns. Centre Ollie Lawrence suffered an Achilles injury in their recent victory over Italy, which could prove a significant blow to their attacking options. However, they still arrive in Cardiff with title aspirations, knowing a win keeps their hopes alive in the race against France.

England’s Perspective
With England currently sitting second in the Six Nations table, they have everything to play for. Captain Jamie George emphasized the importance of this fixture, stating, “I think a lot gets spoken about Wales and how much it means to them. A message from me is that we should never shy away from how much it means for us to play for England and what this fixture means to us.” He added, “It will be their World Cup final, and we are going there to win the tournament.”

Such comments will only fuel the fire in Cardiff, where the Welsh squad and fans alike will relish the chance to derail England’s title ambitions.

Wales’ Challenge
Interim coach Matt Sherratt has brought fresh energy to the squad despite the team’s struggles. His approach has emphasized attacking intent and a strong defensive structure, which saw Wales push both Ireland and Scotland close in recent weeks. Now, with one final opportunity to claim a victory, Wales must summon every ounce of resilience and tactical precision to overcome England’s physicality.
Sherratt has spoken about the need for controlled aggression, saying, “The passion of a Wales-England game is undeniable, but we need to channel that emotion in the right way. We’ve seen the fight in this team, now we need to be clinical.”

This fixture also marks what is set to be Sherratt’s final game in charge of Wales, adding further emotion and urgency to the occasion.
Wales Starting XVForwards: Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, WillGriff John; Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins; Aaron Wainwright, Jac Morgan (captain), Taulupe Faletau.

Backs: Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe; Joe Roberts, Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn, Ellis Mee; Blair Murray.
Kick-off DetailsThe match kicks off at 16:45 GMT on Saturday, March 15, at the Principality Stadium. Coverage begins on BBC One at 16:00 GMT.

Looking Ahead
For Wales, this match is about more than just avoiding the wooden spoon—it’s a chance to restore pride and build towards future success. The passionate Cardiff crowd will create an atmosphere worthy of this great rivalry, and if Wales can seize their moments, an upset could be on the cards. For England, the stakes are equally high, as they seek to keep their championship hopes alive.

With everything to play for, expect a fierce, emotional, and hard-fought contest. Can Wales rise to the occasion and give the nation something to celebrate? One thing is certain—the Principality Stadium will be rocking.