Rees-Zammit at full-back for Wales against England

Wales have named Louis Rees-Zammit at full-back for their Six Nations opener against England at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday.

Scarlets duo Josh Macleod and Eddie James return after missing the autumn campaign because of injury.

Flanker Macleod, 29, will make his Six Nations debut, filling the role left by the injured Jac Morgan to pack down alongside Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright in the back row.

Centre James will line up alongside the recalled Ben Thomas in the Welsh midfield, while in-form wing Ellis Mee is named in the back three alongside Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams, with Blair Murray and Tom Rogers missing out.

Hooker Dewi Lake will lead Wales again in Morgan's absence and is joined in the front row by props Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin.

Head coach Steve Tandy has named six forwards on his replacements bench, with Tomas Francis in line to make his first Test appearance since the 2023 World Cup.

Wales last won a match in the Six Nations in 2023 and have secured only two victories in their past 23 Tests overall.

Rees-Zammit, 25, will make his first Six Nations appearance in almost three years after returning from a stint in American football.

After beginning his career as a wing, it will be the fourth time that Rees-Zammit has started at full-back for Wales after making three appearances there during the 2022-23 season.

He began his return at Bristol on the wing but Bears' director of rugby Pat Lam has moved him to full-back during the season and Rees-Zammit says this is now his preferred position.

"He has played full-back before so it's not something that was fundamentally new and he has played there for Bristol," said Tandy.

"He is threatening and if there is a kick that is too long then something can happen and I am excited by his aerial work also.

"As much as he is quick, he is a big man as well, so we are excited to see him there."

Meanwhile, Scarlets captain Macleod has battled back from injuries to make his first appearance in the tournament.

"Josh has had some rough luck with injuries, but the way he's come back, the way he leads and trains, his attention to detail and the intensity he brings to everything is excellent," said Tandy.

"It's going to be awesome to see him on the weekend."

Tandy stated Leicester number eight Olly Cracknell had only returned to full training this week and was not quite ready to face England.

And while Tandy has been assessing the physical condition of is players, Wales also head to London without scrum coach Duncan Jones, who suffered a "freak injury" in an accidental collision during a training session. That has left Tandy considering bringing in a new assistant on a temporary basis.

The Wales men's side have lost 21 out of their previous 23 internationals, with the only victories against Japan in Kobe and Cardiff in 2025.

The defeats include a record 18-Test losing run and record home losses against England (68-14), Argentina (52-28) and South Africa (73-0).

Wales have not won a Six Nations match since March 2023 against Italy in Rome, with the record of 11 successive defeats resulting in two winless tournaments in which they have picked up consecutive Wooden Spoons for finishing bottom.

In contrast, England have won their past 11 games and are ranked third in the world.

But before Tandy's first Six Nations game in charge, the Wales boss says "the fixture is a special game with all the history behind it".

"We know they're playing some outstanding rugby and in great form but I know how much it means to our players playing for the nation and representing Wales," said Tandy.

"The way the squad trained this week has been great. I want to see us get out and attack the game on Saturday and give the best account of ourselves."

Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Macleod, Wainwright.

Replacements: Belcher, Carre, T Francis, Carter, Plumtree, Deaves, Hardy, Grady.

England: Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Freeman, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Heyes; Coles, Chessum; Pepper, Underhill, Earl

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Itoje, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, M Smith