George North and Dan Biggar named in Wales XV to face England in Six Nations

By Paul Vinnell

Image: Dan Biggar (left) and George North have been selected in Wales' starting XV

Wales duo George North and Dan Biggar have been passed fit to face England in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Taulupe Faletau, the No 8 who had been an injury doubt for the match, starts on the bench.

Wales have made two chances to the starting XV, calling in props Rob Evans and Tomas Francis, who started last week's win against Italy on the bench. They replace Nicky Smith and Samson Lee, who will start among the replacements.

Evans and Francis join Ken Owens in the front-row with Jake Ball and skipper Alun Wyn Jones again partnering in the second-row. Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty make up the back-row.

Wales name an unchanged back-line with fly-half Biggar recovering from injury to partner Rhys Webb at half-back. Northampton wing North suffered a knock against Italy last week but has recovered in time to play.

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"We have had a short turnaround but Dan and George have worked hard with the medics and we are pleased to be able to name them," said coach Rob Howley.

Image: Taulupe Faletau has been named on the bench

Scarlets duo Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies continue in midfield with Liam Williams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny comprising the back-three.

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"There is huge excitement in the camp ahead of Saturday for what is set to be a massive Six Nations encounter," added Howley.

"We were really pleased with the result out in Rome and are looking to build on that performance this weekend.

"Both Rob (Evans) and Tomas (Francis) made a big impact off the bench last weekend and deserve their opportunity to start.

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12, Scott Williams, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 1, Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Sam Warburton, 7 Justin Tipuric 8 Ross Moriarty

Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Cory Hill, 20 Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Davies, 21 Sam Davies, 22 Jamie Roberts

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