Davies returns to Wales side to face England at Twickenham
Published:British and Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies has been recalled to the Wales team by Warren Gatland for the crunch Six Nations clash against England.
The 25-year-old will make his first appearance in the Welsh shirt since November and will be reunited with centre-partner Jaime Roberts at the heart of the midfield.
The Scarlets star has only featured in two halves of competitive action since recovering from the chest injury he picked up against South Africa last November but Wales, who are 7/4 for victory at Twickenham, are not worried by his lack of game time.
Davies is one of two changes to the side that beat France 27-6 at the Millennium Stadium last time out, with lock Alun Wyn Jones also returning from injury to face the English, who are 8/15 for the win with Ladbrokes.
Jack Ball, who was impressive against the French on his first international start, returns to the bench as the second row replacement.
“It’s great to have both Jon and Alun Wyn back and available, and they come into a very experienced side,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
“Jon came through the match well at the weekend [playing for Scarlets against Munster].
“And he is ready to go. We were happy with the response and performance against France, but we know we will have to raise it another level on Sunday.”
Gatland’s men are 9/2 to win the Six Nations championship and nothing but a win in west London will do as they go in search of a historic third straight title.
Scrum-half Rhys Webb has kept his place in the starting line-up in the place of Mike Phillips who remains among the substitutes.
The only other change made by Gatland is a positional switch for Northampton’s George North, who moves back to the wing following the return of Davies, with utility back Liam Williams back on the bench.
Wales XV to face England: Leigh Halfpenny (Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton); Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (Blues, capt), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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