In the Six Nations game against Wales on Saturday, Anthony Watson will start for England for the first time in nearly two years.
The sole alteration to the starting Lineup that defeated Italy in round two has Leicester’s Watson taking Ollie Hassell-Collins’ injured position on the wing.
Vice-captain Courtney Lawes was selected for the bench and will play for England for the first time since July.
When brother Tom Curry became hurt, Ben Curry was called up to the team as a replacement.
Wales will start Grady against England.
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Hassell-Collins paved the door for a new generation to shine because the seasoned Jonny May and Jack Nowell were left off of the inaugural Six Nations squad under new head coach Steve Borthwick.
Instead of giving Harlequins’ 23-year-old Cadan Murley a chance, though, Borthwick has chosen the maybe more dependable Watson, 28, who is now playing on the other flank after making an impression in the first few rounds.
The 34-year-old former captain Lawes is back after missing the team’s victories against Italy and Scotland due to injuries including a concussion, neck, glute, and calf problems.
Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis, and Alex Dombrandt remain in the back row for Borthwick because Tom Curry, who suffered a hamstring injury, will be sidelined for the duration of the competition.
In the backline, skipper Owen Farrell gets the start at fly-half once more, with Marcus Smith filling in at ten.
In the Six Nations standings, England, which hasn’t triumphed in Cardiff since 2017, is third, while winless Wales is sixth.
Welsh players decided against going on strike after reaching a deal with their union, putting an end to any concerns about the match taking place.
Borthwick, the head coach, said: “One of the legendary rugby matches, Wales vs. England in Cardiff, is steeped in tradition and usually intense.
“We anticipate a boisterous Principality Stadium crowd, and we will need to play at the top of our game to build on our victory over Italy in the previous round.
“I’m overjoyed to have Courtney Lawes back on the team after his injury. His skill and knowledge have helped to create a concentrated training week with the kind of rivalry and fervor we anticipate.”
England “don’t have the same degree of experience,” according to Wales head coach Warren Gatland, who has selected an experimental backline that includes center Mason Grady, making his debut, and fly-half Owen Williams.
However a group led by captain Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau, and Justin Tipuric has significantly more experience.
Ollie Chessum, Jack Willis, and Alex Dombrandt, three relatively inexperienced players who represent England, said Borthwick to BBC Sport that his team “haven’t got that same degree of expertise.”
We’ve reached a different point, said Borthwick.
“I believe the side we are playing against has experience preparing for Test matches. There are many young players on our team who are motivated to succeed.”
Steward, Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson, Farrell (captain), Van Poortvliet, Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Chessum, Ludlam, Willis, and Dombrandt are the members of the England team.
Walker, M. Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, B. Curry, Mitchell, M. Smith, and Arundell are the replacements.
