TEST RUGBY: England v Wales

13.08.2011
England v Wales in Cardiff (World Cup warm-up)

Venue: Millennium Stadium

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Preview
England and Wales square up again, after England defeated Wales 23-19 at Twickenham last weekend. The second encounter is in Wales and both teams have made changes in order for all World Cup candidates given a run.

England has made 13 changes to their starting lineup from last weekend. Wales has made just 4.

Wales is under pressure to perform in this World Cup as the Pacific Island teams loom as their major hurdle to qualify, and of course South Africa. "We've told the players that for us to be regarded as contenders at the Rugby World Cup we need to beat England at home this weekend, to send out that message to everyone that we are contenders”, said Gatland. He aslso said it is crucial to win against Argentina next weekend as well.

Last Five Encounters
06.08.2011 England 23-19 at Twickenham (World Cup Warm-up)
04.02.2011 England 26-19 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
06.02.2010 England 30-17 at Twickenham (6 Nations)
14.02.2009 Wales 23-15 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
02.02.2008 Wales 26-19 at Twickenham (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-England 6th, Wales 10th
Europe Table-England 3rd, Wales 6th

IRB Ranking Points
England 82.89, Wales 79.14

Prediction: England by 8 points

Teams

England
15 Benjamin Foden
14 Christopher Ashton
13 Michael Tindall, Capt. 
12 Shontayne Hape
11 Mark Cueto
10 Tobias Flood
9 Richard Wigglesworth
8 Nicholas Easter
7 Hendre Fourie
6 Thomas Wood
5 Courtney Lawes
4 Louis Deacon
3 Daniel Cole
2 Steven Thompson
1 Alexander Corbisiero.
Replacements
16 Lee Mears
17 Matthew Stevens
18 Thomas Palmer
19 James Haskell
20 Daniel Care
21 Charles Hodgson
22 Matthew Banahan
Head Coach: Martin Johnson

Wales
15 James Hook
14 George North
13 James Roberts
12 Gavin Henson
11 Shane Williams
10 Rhys Priestland
9 Michael Phillips
8 Tobias Faletau
7 Samuel Warburton
6 Daniel Lydiate
5 Alun-Wyn Jones
4 Luke Charteris
3 Craig Mitchell
2 Lloyd Burns
1 Paul James
Replacements
16 Huw Bennett
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Joshua Turnbull
19 Justin Tipuric
20 Tavis Knoyle
21 Scott Williams
Head Coach
Head Coach: Warren Gatland