There is some mild chatter around that Ellis Genge has a dodgy hamstring, but England are about to re-confirm their team and the vice-captain is in it at loose-head prop. No changes to the 23. Maybe one to keep an eye on, if Genge departs earlier than expected.
As we reported on Friday, Max Lahiff, the Bristol Bears 36-year-old, is in the squad as cover, primarily for tight-head Vilikesa Sela, who has a knock. Emmanuel Iyogun is the other loose-head in camp, behind Bevan Rodd, who is on the bench today.
Warburton: I’d run through brick walls for Tandy
Sam Warburton, former Wales captain
I have been into the Wales camp a couple of times recently. The first time I wasn’t formally invited, I was just there looking at facilities for other reasons, but I was impressed by what I saw. It was very upbeat.
I was then asked to go in and speak to the group. I spoke about my experiences regarding leadership, mentality and communication.
I was privileged first to listen to Steve Tandy speak. I always say that one of the hardest things for a coach is to win your team over, but as he was speaking, I was thinking: “I would run through brick walls for this guy.” I just like him. I like what he talks about, what he represents as a proud Welshman.
• Sam Warburton: I’ve been into Wales camp — they can finish fourth in Six Nations
Our experts’ Six Nations predictions v AI
Season after season, we ask our writers for Six Nations predictions, and season after season they reluctantly oblige.
But at this late stage in the day, we have a new player: artificial intelligence. It was 2017 when Google’s DeepMind defeated the World No1 at the ancient strategy game Go. Now, Gemini has its chance to strike another hefty blow for the machine. Our writers are the final defence.
• Read more: Who will win Six Nations 2026? Our experts’ predictions vs AI
Alessandro Fusco successfully kicks a penalty five minutes before the break to give Italy a 15-7 lead over Scotland at half-time.
Gregor Townsend’s side will have a lot of work to do to turn things around in some very challenging conditions at the Stadio Olimpico, with heavy rain at the end of the half.
France make early statement
Many people are expecting England’s game against France on the final day of the 2026 Six Nations to be the title-decider and the defending champions sent an early message to their rivals on Thursday night.
Fabien Galthié’s side started their campaign with a dominant 36-14 in over Ireland, with Louis Bielle-Biarrey scorings two tries as Andy Farrell’s team were blown away.
• France send message of intent by crushing Ireland in bonus-point win
DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES
Latest: Italy 12 Scotland 7
Scotland also start their Six Nations campaign today and it’s been a tough opening 30 minutes for Gregor Townsend’s side in Rome.
It took Italy only seven minutes to open the scoring with Louis Lynagh, and Tommaso Menoncello extended the home side’s lead to 12 points soon after.
However, Scotland have managed to pull back a try, with Jack Dempsey touching down and Finn Russell converting to cut the deficit to five points.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
For his first Six Nations game in charge of Wales, Steve Tandy has made the huge call to start with Louis Rees-Zammit at full back.
It will be only a fourth start at full back in 36 caps for the Bristol Bears star, with Ellis Mee and Josh Adams chosen to start on the wings.
Elsewhere, the decision to go with Ben Thomas at inside centre and Alex Mann at blind-side flanker are signs of Wales’s desire to play an open game.
Wales team to face EnglandL Rees-Zammit; E Mee, E James, B Thomas, J Adams; D Edwards, T Williams; N Smith, D Lake (capt), A griffin, D Jenkins, A Beard, A Mann; J Macleod; A Wainwright. Replacements L Belcher, R Carré, T Francis, B Carter, T Plumtree, H Deaves, K Hardy, M Grady
England announced yesterday they have been forced into a late change to their original team, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso ruled out with a hamstring injury and replaced on the wing by Tom Roebuck.
Feyi-Waboso will now be scanned, after which it will be decided whether he can still play a part in the Six Nations.
Before that change, the biggest news from the original side was that Maro Itoje will not captain England, having missed training to attend his mother’s funeral in Nigeria. He has been given a place on the bench, so Jamie George will lead the side from hooker.
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Good afternoon and welcome to The Times’s live coverage of England v Wales on the opening Saturday of the 2026 Six Nations.
Having finished as runners-up in last year’s competition, Steve Borthwick’s side will be looking to go one better this year and are hoping to extend their 11-match unbeaten run in the process. They are up against a Wales team who have finished with the Wooden Spoon in the past two competitions, but can head coach Steve Tandy inspire a surprise?
Alex Lowe, Owen Slot, Will Kelleher, David Walsh, Stuart Barnes and Steve James will be providing updates and analysis from all the action at Twickenham.