England names unchanged rugby team for first time since 2019 World Cup. Genge on bench against Wales

LONDON (AP) — England kept faith with the team that opened the Six Nations with a

narrow victory in Rome

for the home match against Wales on Saturday.

The only change made by England coach Steve Borthwick on Thursday saw the return of prop Ellis Genge from a foot injury that ruled him out of the 27-24 win in Italy. Genge took his place among the reserves.

Jamie George will lead England out as captain for the first time at Twickenham.

Fullback-flyhalf Marcus Smith remained out as he recovers from a calf injury.

The last time England selected an unchanged team was for the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa a week after beating New Zealand.

Wales named its team on Wednesday and made seven changes from the

27-26 home loss to Scotland

.

Wales coach Warren Gatland rewarded a number of players who helped to spark a second-half turnaround in Cardiff, with the entire front row being overhauled as Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee and Keiron Assiratti earned starts.

The halfbacks changed, too, with flyhalf Ioan Lloyd and scrumhalf Tomos Williams promoted from the bench, while flanker Alex Mann was given a first test start.

George North missed the Scotland game due to a sboulder injury but returns at center for his 50th Six Nations appearance.

Wales has lost to England seven times in a row at Twickenham.

___

Lineups:

England: Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Fraser Dingwall, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Ethan Roots, Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George (captain), Joe Marler. Reserves: Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Chandler Cunningham-South, Danny Care, Fin Smith, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

Wales: Cameron Winnett, Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer, Ioan Lloyd, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Alex Mann, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins (captain), Keiron Assiratti, Elliot Dee, Gareth Thomas. Reserves: Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Taine Basham, Kieran Hardy, Cai Evans, Mason Grady.

___

AP rugby:

https://apnews.com/hub/rugby