England’s upcoming rugby match against Wales in Cardiff will see Marcus Smith taking on the role of fly-half and Ellis Genge leading the team as captain. Smith, who has 21 caps for England, last started in the Six Nations defeat against France. His teammate from Harlequins, Danny Care, will be the scrum-half. The match will also mark the debut of flanker Tom Pearson, while potential debutants Theo Dan and Tom Willis are named on the bench.
Max Malins is the only player from the Premiership final to be included in the starting lineup. The match will serve as the team’s final opportunity to showcase their skills before head coach Steve Borthwick announces the 33-man squad for the World Cup in France.
The regular captain, Owen Farrell, along with other notable players like Jamie George and Maro Itoje, are not part of the squad for this match. George Ford will serve as the backup fly-half.
The team sees several changes from their previous encounter against Ireland in the Six Nations. Pearson’s inclusion in the back row adds competition to the selection in that area. The backline also features new combinations with players like Guy Porter, Joe Marchant, and Joe Cokanasiga returning.
Pearson, who was previously with London Irish and now with Northampton, was named the Premiership’s breakthrough player of the year in 2023. He trained with England during the 2022 Six Nations and recognizes the competitiveness in the back-row, making this opportunity crucial for him.
Hooker Theo Dan, who began his youth career as a wing and center before transitioning to the front row, has made an impressive rise through the English rugby pyramid, including a stint with Saracens. Tom Willis, the oldest of the potential debutants, will be eager to secure his place in the World Cup squad alongside his brother Jack. He recently played in the Top 14 with Bordeaux Begles.
The full lineup for England includes Steward, Malins, Marchant, Porter, Cokanasiga, Smith, Care, Genge (captain), Blamire, Stuart, Ribbans, Martin, Ludlam, Pearson, and Dombrandt. The replacements are Dan, Rodd, Sinckler, Hill, T Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford, and Slade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby
Q: Who will be starting for England in the rugby match against Wales?
A: Marcus Smith will start as fly-half, and Ellis Genge will captain the team.
Q: How many caps does Marcus Smith currently have for England?
A: Marcus Smith currently has 21 caps for England.
Q: Are there any debutants in the England team for the match?
A: Yes, flanker Tom Pearson will be making his debut, and potential debutants Theo Dan and Tom Willis are on the bench.
Q: When is the match taking place and where will it be held?
A: The match will take place on Saturday, 5th August at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with a kick-off time of 17:30 BST.
Q: Is this England’s final match before the World Cup squad announcement?
A: Yes, this match serves as the team’s final opportunity to showcase their skills before head coach Steve Borthwick confirms his 33-man squad for the World Cup in France on Monday morning.
Q: Why are some regular players like Owen Farrell and Jamie George absent from the squad?
A: The text does not provide specific reasons for their absence, but it mentions that they are not part of the squad for this match.
Q: What is the significance of the match for Marcus Smith?
A: This match provides another opportunity for Marcus Smith to showcase his talent, especially after a mixed Six Nations where Owen Farrell re-established himself as the starting number 10.
Q: What is the backline combination for England in this match?
Q: Who are the potential debutants in the England team, and what are their backgrounds?
A: The potential debutants are flanker Tom Pearson, hooker Theo Dan, and back row player Tom Willis. Pearson won the Premiership’s breakthrough player of the year award in 2023. Dan transitioned from playing as a wing and center to the front row and played for Saracens. Willis played in the Top 14 with Bordeaux Begles.
Q: What are the names of the replacements for England?
A: The replacements for England are Dan, Rodd, Sinckler, Hill, T Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford, and Slade.
4 comments
debutees tom pearson, theo dan, & tom willis on bench, looking 4ward to seeing them in action #exciting
final match b4 world cup squad announcement, big day 4 the players & coach borthwick! #teamengland #worldcup
england names marcus smith as fly-half & ellis genge captaining, sounds promising! hope they do well in cardiff #rugby
wow, marcus smith got 21 caps for england! #impressive #flyhalf