Wales v England preview

Following their shock defeat to Italy last weekend, Wales have been under increasing pressure to produce their a winning performance against an England side bristling with confidence after their shock win over France.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has resisted making sweeping changes to the side that went down in Rome but an injury to captain Stephen Jones sees James Hook moved from centre to number 10.

Gareth Thomas steps into the vacant centre position and also takes over the skipper's armband.

Wales have won just two games under Jenkins and the former Llanelli coach knows that the nation expects a victory against England.

"The Wooden Spoon would be disappointing, embarrassing and humiliating, but that is where we are," said Jenkins..

"It has not been a successful Six Nations but I don't think this is a poor team, it is a work in progress.

"It is nice to be back in Cardiff and I am sure the support we will have will give us that percentage extra we will need to put a performance in to beat England."

England, who are third in the table but level with leader France and Ireland on six points, will know if they have any chance of winning the title when they step out at the Millennium Stadium.

Coach Brian Ashton has once again given youth its chance, by naming 21-year-old Toby Flood, Tom Rees, Matthew Tait and James Haskell in his starting line-up.

Flood retains his place ahead of Shane Geraghty, who set up the winning try against France, while Rees has another chance to shine at openside flanker after his man-of-the match performance at twickenham last weekend.

Tait moves off the bench to replace the injured Mike Tindall while Haskell comes in on the blindside after number eight Nick Easter called off with a neck injury.

Joe Worsley switches from the flank to number eight in an all-Wasps backrow.

The final change sees Mark Cueto recalled for the out-of-form Josh Lewsey.

Wales: Kevin Morgan (Dragons); Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Ton Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse, capt), Shane Williams (Ospreys); James Hook (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Chris Horsman (Worcester), Ian Gough (Dragons), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Alix Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).

Replacements: Rhys Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys), Johnathan Thomas (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Cardiff Blues), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons).

England: Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks); David Strettle (Harlequins), Matthew Tait (Newcastle), Mike Catt (London Irish, capt), Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks); Toby Flood (Newcastle), Harry Ellis (Leicester); Tim Payne (Wasps), George Chuter (Leicester), Julian White (Leicester), Martin Corry (Leicester), Tom Palmer (Wasps), James Haskell (Wasps), Tom Rees (Wasps), Joe Worsley (Wasps).

Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath), Stuart Turner (Sale Sharks), Loius Deacon (Leicester), Magnus Lund (Sale Sharks), Shaun Perry (Bristol), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Jamie Noon (Newcastle).