Taulupe Faletau returns for Wales clash with England as Louis Rees-Zammit dropped for Six Nations match

Taulupe Faletau will make his first Wales appearance for 11 months against England
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George Flood24 February 2022

Wales have dropped Louis Rees-Zammit for Saturday's crucial Six Nations meeting with England.

The 21-year-old British & Irish Lions wing has struggled to replicate his form following a sensational breakout year in 2021 and will play no part at Twickenham having started the opening two matches of the tournament against Ireland and Scotland.

Wales have recalled the fit-again Josh Adams to start on one wing against England, with Alex Cuthbert poised to earn his 50th senior cap on the opposite flank.

Rees-Zammit will now be available to feature for club side Gloucester against Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership on Saturday.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has also recalled influential No8 Taulupe Faletau, who is set to make his first international appearance for 11 months after recovering from a long-term ankle injury.

"We are very pleased to have the experienced Toby (Taulupe) Faletau back," Pivac said.

"He has trained well during the week and got 80 minutes [for Bath] under his belt last week. From our point of view, he brings a lot of experience."

On his choice of wings, Pivac added: "I am really pleased for Alex Cuthbert to get 50 Tests for his country. It is a massive achievement.

"And it is also great to have Josh Adams back from injury. They are two good players. That means Louis Rees-Zammit is the unfortunate one this week that misses out.

"But we have looked at the opposition we're playing and niggly injuries that players pick up from time to time, and we think that in this particular match, the way the game will go, that Alex and Josh are the right selection."

Wales team to face England in Six Nations

L Williams (Scarlets); A Cuthbert (Ospreys), O Watkin (Ospreys), N Tompkins (Saracens), J Adams (Cardiff); D Biggar (Northampton, capt), T Williams (Cardiff); W Jones (Scarlets), R Elias (Scarlets), T Francis (Ospreys), W Rowlands (Dragons), A Beard (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Dragons), T Basham (Dragons), T Faletau (Bath).

Replacements: D Lake (Ospreys), G Thomas (Ospreys), L Brown (Dragons), S Davies (Cardiff), J Morgan (Ospreys), K Hardy (Scarlets), G Anscombe (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets).

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