Wales have made changes from the autumn as Louis Rees-Zammit starts a new era as Wales’ full-back
11:30, 05 Feb 2026Updated 11:37, 05 Feb 2026
Louis Rees-Zammit will start for Wales at full-back against England(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Louis Rees-Zammit will start at full-back against England, with Scarlets star Ellis Mee on the wing and Steve Tandy naming a 6-2 split on the bench for the opening Six Nations match.
The Bristol Bears man is likely to face an aerial bombardment at the Allianz Stadium after moving to the 15 jersey following his form there at club level. Mee has been rewarded for his fine displays for the Scarlets, with the pair joined by Josh Adams in the back three. Blair Murray, who was first-choice full-back during the autumn, has been dropped from the squad.
Eddie James gets the nod at 13, lining up in midfield outside Ben Thomas and half-backs Dan Edwards and Tomos Williams. You can follow Wales’ press conference today live here.
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In the pack, the returning prop Tomas Francis has to make do with a place on the bench as Archie Griffin starts at tighthead, alongside captain Dewi Lake and Nicky Smith in the front row.
Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard are the locks, with Josh Macleod, Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright in the back row.
The bench sees head coach Tandy opt for forward strength at the expense of backline options, with Kieran Hardy and Mason Grady the only two backs named.
Liam Belcher and Rhys Carre are in line to finish the match alongside Francis, who hasn’t played Test rugby since 2023. Dragons lock Ben Carter and back rowers Taine Plumtree and Harri Deaves are also named among the replacements.
Strong autumn performers Tom Rogers and Olly Cracknell are not in the matchday squad.
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The match with be flanker Macleod’s first Six Nations appearance after previously being hampered by injuries.
Tandy said: “Wales v England is always a special game with all the history behind the fixture. We know they’re playing some outstanding rugby and they’re in great form. But I know how much it means to our players playing for the nation and representing Wales.“The way the squad trained this week has been great. I want to see us get out and really attack the game on Saturday and give the best account of ourselves. Opening the Six Nations at Twickenham is historic and it’s something we can’t wait to do.”On Josh Macleod being named at openside flanker Tandy added: “Josh has had some rough luck with injuries, but the way he’s come back, the way he leads, his attention to detail around his week plan, the way he trains, the intensity he brings to everything he does is excellent. It’s going to be awesome to see him on the weekend.”
Wales team to play England: 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 3. Archie Griffin 4. Dafydd Jenkins 5. Adam Beard 6. Alex Mann 7. Josh Macleod 8. Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: 16. Liam Belcher 17. Rhys Carre 18. Tomas Francis 19. Ben Carter 20. Taine Plumtree 21. Harri Deaves 22. Kieran Hardy 23. Mason Grady