Louis Rees-Zammit will start at full-back for Wales in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England.
The winger has scored eight tries in 14 games for Prem’s Bristol Bears this season, but after spending 18 months in the NFL with Jacksonville Jaguars, he was converted to full-back in his first Six Nations return since 2023.
In the absence of injured Jack Morgan, hooker Dewi Lake captained the team and was replaced by Josh McLeod, making his first appearance in the competition.
The 25-year-old Bristol-born player returned to Wales in the autumn and will start at full-back for the fourth time in 36 Test appearances.
New manager Steve Tandy is hoping to rebuild his Wales side, which finished bottom of the Championship for the second consecutive year without a win in their last 11 Six Nations games.
In his first Six Nations team, Eddie James made his second start for Wales at outside center in place of the injured Max Llewellyn.
“Wales vs England is always a special match with all the history behind it,” Tandy said in a press release. “I know they are playing great rugby and they are in great form.
“But I know how much it means to the players who play for their country and represent Wales.
“The way the team has trained this week has been great. I want to see us attack really hard and get the best result in Saturday’s game.”
“Starting the Six Nations at Twickenham is historic and we can’t wait for it.”
Wales national team plays against England
Wales: 15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams. 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Adam Beard, 6 Alex Mann, 7 Josh McLeod, 8 Aaron Wainwright.
Substitutes: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Reece Carre, 18 Thomas Francis, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Thain Plumtree, 21 Hari Deeves, 22 Kieran Hardy, 23 Mason Grady.
Wales 2026 Six Nations dates
always UK and Ireland
vs England (Saturday 7th February) – Twickenham, Allianz Stadium (4.40pm) vs France (Sunday 15th February) – Cardiff, Principality Stadium (3.10pm) vs Scotland (Saturday 21st February) – Cardiff, Principality Stadium (4.40pm) vs Ireland (Friday 6th March) – Aviva Stadium, Dublin (8.10pm) vs Italy (Saturday 14 March) – Principality Stadium, Cardiff (4.40pm)


