Wales have named Louis Rees-Zammit at full-back for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
The selection sees Scarlets pair Josh Macleod and Eddie James return after missing the autumn campaign through injury. For Macleod, 29, it will be a first appearance in the Six Nations, as he steps into the back-row role vacated by the injured Jac Morgan, packing down alongside Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright.
James is recalled in the centre and will partner Ben Thomas in midfield, while Ellis Mee’s strong form is rewarded with a place in the back three alongside Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams. Blair Murray and Tom Rogers both miss out.
Dewi Lake captains the side once again in Morgan’s absence and is joined in the front row by props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin. Head coach Steve Tandy has opted for a replacements bench weighted towards the forwards, naming six, with Tomas Francis in line for his first Test appearance since the 2023 World Cup.
Wales arrive in London under no illusions about their recent struggles. They have not won a Six Nations match since March 2023 and have managed just two victories in their last 23 Tests overall.
For Rees-Zammit, 25, the match marks his first Six Nations appearance in almost three years following a spell pursuing American football. Although he began his Wales career on the wing, this will be his fourth start at full-back, having made three appearances there during the 2022–23 season.
He initially returned to rugby with Bristol on the wing, but Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has since deployed him at full-back — a position Rees-Zammit now says he prefers.
“He’s played full-back before, so it’s not something fundamentally new, and he’s done it for Bristol,” said Tandy. “He’s a real threat. If there’s a kick that’s slightly too long, something can happen. I’m excited by his aerial work as well.
“As quick as he is, he’s also a big man, so we’re excited to see him there.”
Macleod’s return has also impressed the Wales head coach after a run of injury setbacks.
“Josh has had some rough luck, but the way he’s come back — the way he leads, trains, and the attention to detail and intensity he brings — has been excellent,” said Tandy. “It’s going to be brilliant to see him out there this weekend.”
Leicester number eight Olly Cracknell was considered but has only just returned to full training and was deemed not quite ready to face England. Wales will also travel without scrum coach Duncan Jones, who suffered what Tandy described as a “freak injury” following an accidental collision in training, prompting consideration of short-term coaching cover.
The broader context makes for sobering reading. Wales have lost 21 of their past 23 internationals, with the only wins coming against Japan in Kobe and Cardiff in 2025. That run includes a record 18-Test losing streak and record home defeats against England (68-14), Argentina (52-28) and South Africa (73-0).
They have endured two successive winless Six Nations campaigns, finishing bottom both times and collecting consecutive Wooden Spoons. England, by contrast, have won their last 11 matches and sit third in the world rankings.
Despite that disparity, Tandy insists the occasion still carries huge significance.
“It’s a special fixture with all the history behind it,” he said. “We know they’re playing some outstanding rugby and are in great form, but I also know what it means to our players to represent Wales.
“The way the squad has trained this week has been really encouraging. I want us to go out, attack the game on Saturday and give the best account of ourselves.”
Teams
Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Macleod, Wainwright.
Replacements: Belcher, Carre, T Francis, Carter, Plumtree, Deaves, Hardy, Grady.
England: Steward; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Heyes; Coles, Chessum; Pepper, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Itoje, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, M Smith.
