Match News and Current Form
After the recent death of his mother, England captain Maro Itoje has been named on the bench for Saturday’s opener with hooker Jamie George leading the side as they look to go one step further than last year and claim their first SNC since 2020. Itoje is part of a strong set of England replacements which includes flanker Tom Curry as coach Steve Borthwick continues to pack the bench with strength, as he did during the November internationals.
Borthwick described this game as “always a special occasion in the rugby calendar” and he is looking for a disciplined performance “throughout the match” from his in-form side who will be targeting a 12th Test victory in a row, a run which began in round two of the 2025 SNC with a 26-25 win over France here at Twickenham.
Without a win in the SNC since March 2023, and with only two victories from their last 23 Tests, Wales will travel east along the M4 more in hope than expectation. They have taken the wooden spoon in successive campaigns and failed to register a point for the first time in their SNC history when they lost 43-0 in round one in Paris last year.
Unwanted records continued to tumble with England inflicting Wales’ heaviest home defeat and their biggest loss in Six Nations history to end the tournament, so with a new head coach in Steve Tandy, a fresh start is required. Tandy succeeded at Twickenham as Scotland defence coach in 2021 and 2023, and Wales fans will be delighted to see Louis Rees-Zammit return to SNC action for the first time in almost three years following a spell in American football.
Head-to-Head History
England have won five of the last six meetings, with Wales’ last four H2H victories all coming in Cardiff.
Hot Stats and Streaks
England won all three of their 2025 SNC home fixtures while conceding a range of 15-24 points.
England have scored no more than two first-half tries in six of their last seven home fixtures.
Wales have scored 14-17 points across their last three games against England (L3).
Wales won the second half in their final two SNC away games of 2025.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Tommy Freeman scored a try in all five SNC matches last year, the first England player to ever achieve the feat. Ben Thomas crossed the line three times for Wales in the 2025 SNC, twice against England in round five and once in round four.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is a doubt for England after picking up a leg injury during Thursday’s training session while Wales will be without skipper Jac Morgan.
Betting Analysis
There were 82 total points when these sides last met and we expect England to be far too strong while not being watertight at the back once again. Therefore we suggest backing over 53.5 total points in this clash.
