Wales 10-20 England LIVE! Six Nations 2023 result, match stream and rugby updates today

Wales vs England LIVE!

The Six Nations continued in Cardiff this afternoon as two old rivals collided in what was a bruising Test clash. This match had remained in real doubt up until Wednesday, when the threat of strike action from the Welsh players was finally avoided amid a bitter contract dispute with the WRU that has thrown rugby in Wales into absolute turmoil and provoked serious questions about the future.

England headed across the Severn Bridge on Saturday aiming to take full advantage of that chaos and hoping that Warren Gatland’s side, hammered by both Ireland and Scotland, didn’t feed off a typically frenzied atmosphere and new-found siege mentality in their bid to avoid three straight defeats to open the Six Nations for the first time since 2007.

And Steve Borthwick’s men just about came out on top in a scrappy, tense affair, winning in Cardiff for the first time in six years with scores from Anthony Watson, Kyle Sinckler and Ollie Lawrence making up for a poor day from the tee for Owen Farrell and Louis Rees-Zammit’s early second-half intercept. Follow Wales vs England reaction live below, featuring expert analysis from Nick Purewal at the Principality Stadium.

Wales vs England latest news

• FT: Wales 10-20 England

• Nick Purewal’s match report

• Farrell: England have taken step forward

• Gatland rues key Welsh mistakes

• Player ratings

Six Nations table

20:47 , George Flood

Before we leave you, there’s just time to check out the latest Six Nations table after today’s wins for Ireland and England...

England ratings

19:54 , George Flood

Replacements

Jack Walker (for Walker, 79’) 7

Had little to do at the death.

Mako Vunipola (for Genge, 54’) 7

Put himself about to grind England home.

Dan Cole (for Sinckler, 64’) 7

Kept the scrum solid late on.

Courtney Lawes (for Dombrandt, 68’) 7

Back with a few trademark bangs.

Ben Curry (for Willis, 60’) 8

Claimed one vital turnover as England rode Wales’ attacks.

Alex Mitchell (for Van Poortvliet, 72’) 7

Added pace and impetus at the last.

Marcus Smith (for Farrell, 79’) 6

Took to the field for less than a minute.

Henry Arundell (for Malins, 79’) 6

Another to be in action for just the final play.

England ratings

19:54 , George Flood

Forwards

Ellis Genge 7

Solid in the scrum and powerful around the field.

Jamie George 7

Sharp in the set-piece and worked extremely hard.

Kyle Sinckler 7

Try topped another big showing as England’s scrum continues to improve.

Maro Itoje 7

Faded as the game wore on but an improved showing more akin to his usual self.

Ollie Chessum 7

A major find for England’s engine room.

Lewis Ludlam 8

Excelled over the ball to thwart Wales all day long.

Jack Willis 8

A masterful breakdown operator and major talent.

Alex Dombrandt 7

Beautifully floated pass sent Watson home for the first try.

England ratings

19:53 , George Flood

Backs

Freddie Steward 9

The ideal last line of defence, mopping up other messes and a rock under the high ball.

Max Malins 7

Cut a fine line for the first try in another very solid showing.

Henry Slade 7

His dummy run opened the door for Watson’s score and he kept himself busy throughout.

Ollie Lawrence 8

Another powerful performance from the Bath centre growing into the role as England’s midfield focal point.

Anthony Watson 8

Took his try well and proved composed and threatening for the whole game.

Owen Farrell 6

Curiously off-kilter off the tee but dragged England home through sheer bloody-mindedness.

Jack van Poortvliet 7

Kept things ticking well enough in a frenetic and scrappy encounter.

Nick Purewal’s match report from Cardiff

19:20 , George Flood

Error-strewn England averted a crisis of their own with a vital 20-10 win in Cardiff to plunge strike-racked Wales deeper still into a pit of despair, writes Nick Purewal.

Lose this match and England could have been staring down the barrel of a grave predicament. Instead, it is Wales who will be haunted by the ghosts of a bleak future.

Owen Farrell missed 10 points off the tee but had enough nerve to grind a messy England home at the Principality Stadium.

A week dominated by Wales’ strike threat gave way to a Test match of low quality, worryingly for both sides but particularly for Warren Gatland’s men.

Athony Watson, Kyle Sinckler and Ollie Lawrence bagged the scores to drag England to their second victory of this year’s Six Nations, with Steve Borthwick’s men doubtless relieved to tiptoe out of Wales with the win.

Click here to read the report in full

Steve Borthwick reaction

19:18 , George Flood

"We're really proud of the team and what they did. That was a tough Test match," Borthwick said.

"If you were a neutral you would see there was a lot of pressure in that game, both teams were going at it and there wasn't much in it.

"The second half turned into a pressure contest and Wales brought that kicking game. The team adapted to that very well."

Warren Gatland reaction

19:18 , George Flood

"I can't be critical of the effort out there, they tried really hard. There's work to do but there were improvements in some areas," Gatland said.

"If we look at the mistakes that we made that shifted momentum back to England, they were pretty critical moments."

Freddie Steward reaction

19:03 , George Flood

"We had a stadium run yesterday and I looked over at that corner where I sat as a 16-year-old watching. To be involved in it is special,” the man of the match told the BBC.

"You always aim to be the best in the world. It’s setting myself those stepping stones to try and get there.”

Owen Farrell reaction

19:02 , George Flood

“I thought it was a step forward for us. As we keep saying, we’re at the start of our journey,” the England captain told the BBC.

“It was a different challenge for us to come away from home to a place like this, a team that has had a lot going on during the week and have unified to come together for this crowd at the weekend. Fair play to them.

“We had a job to do and thankfully we took a step forward.

“It’s not all a matter of scoreboard, it’s about building pressure as well. We deserved to be more up at times because I was bad off the tee today but if we’d have done that Wales would have had to force their hand a bit earlier.

“It was a good test for us and we took control in that last 20 I thought. We’re right at the start. We’ve got another big team coming next time back at Twickenham and we’ve got a lot of work to do.

“There’s bits starting to show but we’re laying some foundations at the minute. We want to keep building on it all.”

Watch: Lawrence seals England victory with try

18:44 , George Flood

18:36 , George Flood

Back-to-back wins for England under Steve Borthwick!

Wales have now made their worst start to the Six Nations since 2007 after three straight losses.

I think that’s England’s first win in Cardiff for six years. They won at an empty Parc y Scarlets in the Autumn Nations Cup during the pandemic of course, in 2020.

Full-time

18:33 , George Flood

Wales 10-20 England

18:33 , George Flood

79 mins: Wales trying to finish with a flourish, but they have no creativity in attack and England end up piling into the breakdown and getting a scrum.

London Irish speedster Henry Arundell is on for the final minute or so, replacing Malins.

Marcus Smith will only get a few seconds in place of Farrell, likewise hooker Jack Walker. He replaces Jamie George.

18:32 , George Flood

77 mins: The atmosphere has been totally drained from the Principality with the game now firmly in the bag for England.

The fit-again Courtney Lawes and Alex Mitchell both came on a short while ago, replacing Dombrandt and Van Poortvliet.

TRY! Wales 10-20 England | Ollie Lawrence 74'

18:26 , George Flood

74 mins: A huge, huge try for England!

They keep the pressure on and Slade is brought down just shy of the line.

But they have the numbers, Wales run out of defenders and Steward assists for Lawrence to touch down with one hand in the left corner.

Another missed conversion from Farrell, but that shouldn’t matter. It’s a 10-point lead for England with only five minutes to play.

Surely game over!

18:25 , George Flood

73 mins: Wales’ lineout throw sails long and England seize on the loose ball in a flash.

They quickly work it right, where Slade inexplicably tries a grubber for Malins to track down, but it bobbles agonisingly out of play.

If he keeps that in hand and picks out Steward to his right, then Malins goes over for a surely game-sealing try.

So frustrating for England, who remain too keen to put boot to ball in those sorts of attacking situations.

18:23 , George Flood

71 mins: A potentially pivotal defensive stand from Wales as England hammer down the door in search of a try that may have put this game to bed.

The visitors go left and right, with a step inside from Malins and strong carrying from the likes of Ludlam.

But a crucial piece of jackalling from Tipuric earns Wales a vital pressure-relieving penalty deep inside the 22.

18:21 , George Flood

70 mins: A real chance for England to break after a loose pass from Hardy that is scooped up quickly by Lawrence.

A crucial tackle from Tompkins on the rampaging Bath centre, who could well have been away there.

England, with an advantage, put boot to ball with a huge kick that Rees-Zammit dots down behind his own line.

18:20 , George Flood

69 mins: There’s also been a switch at scrum-half for Wales.

Kieran Hardy replaces Tomos Williams.

18:19 , George Flood

68 mins: England keep their discipline in defence once more, forcing impatient Wales into a poor kick.

However, the pressure remains on after Van Poortvliet slices his clearance out on the full.

Bradley Roberts will take this lineout after replacing Welsh skipper Ken Owens.

18:18 , George Flood

67 mins: Wales are seeing plenty of ball at the moment but it’s all very slow and one-dimensional, lacking creativity.

But Tompkins then injects some life and the hosts attack with much more pace and verve, trying to get Rees-Zammit involved off the right flank.

England’s defence solid again for now...

18:15 , George Flood

64 mins: Reffell and Jenkins replace Alun Wyn Jones and Tshiunza for Wales.

England have Dan Cole on in place of Sinckler at tighthead.

Wales can’t execute from the lineout but have a scrum after a knock-on from Dombrandt.

But there’s a key turnover and England are back in possession...

Another missed Farrell kick

18:13 , George Flood

62 mins: Another dreadful kick from Farrell wastes the chance to push England ahead by two scores.

That’s his third miss of the day from the tee to let Wales off the hook.

Alun Wyn Jones then wins a huge penalty and Biggar kicks for a Welsh lineout just outside the 22 as the crowd noise picks up once more.

18:11 , George Flood

60 mins: A free-kick conceded by Wales at the scrum for early engagement quickly becomes a penalty, which Farrell will kick at goal.

This one from 45 metres out on the angle.

Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell are waiting to come on for Wales.

18:10 , George Flood

59 mins: Wales with a scrum inside their own half after Watson is sent scampering after an enticing Farrell kicks that bounces in the dead-ball area before going safe.

A change in the England back row now as Ben Curry replaces Jack Willis.

Curry returning to the squad as back-row cover this week after another unfortunate injury suffered by twin brother Tom after his return from another problem.

18:07 , George Flood

57 mins: Poor from England with a good blinside to attack from the scum, but Van Poortvliet opts to kick and there’s a knock-on forced by Exeter’s Tshiunza.

18:06 , George Flood

56 mins: A turnover apiece in quick succession inside the Welsh half as this game devolves into a bruising, energy-sapping war of attrition with just over 20 minutes left to play.

England end up with the put-in at the scrum.

18:05 , George Flood

55 mins: A wry shake of the head from Rees-Zammit as he misjudges a kick, has one eye on the approaching Watson and spills the ball forward.

Wales swap both of their props before the resulting scrum, with Rhys Carre and Dillon Lewis on for Thomas and Francis.

18:03 , George Flood

54 mins: Williams landed very awkwardly indeed after an aerial contest with Watson and is replaced at fly-half by Dan Biggar, earning his 103rd cap for Wales today.

Josh Adams is oddly also going off, with Saracens’ Nick Tompkins on as Gatland reshuffles his back division.

A change at loosehead from England as Mako Vunipola replaces Genge.

18:01 , George Flood

53 mins: England are struggling at the scrum at the moment as Raynal continues to penalise them, despite the pressure Genge is putting on Francis.

The ball and momentum continues to fly back and forth as the tempo stays high, but execution is lacking from both teams.

Wales surely have to stop kicking to Steward at some point. He catches absolutely everything.

Owen Williams has picked up a knock for Wales here and won’t continue.

Watch: Sinckler powers over in England response

17:58 , George Flood

Watch: Rees-Zammit scores after intercept

17:58 , George Flood

17:58 , George Flood

49 mins: A furious pace to this game now as Wales earn a free-kick at the scrum and Halfpenny leads an attack, only for England’s defence to hold up again and the Welsh penalised for side entry at the ruck.

The previously subdued Principality crowd is now well and truly involved.

TRY! Wales 10-15 England | Kyle Sinckler 45'

17:53 , George Flood

45 mins: A very fast response from England, who are swiftly back in front!

They put their faith in the lineout after earning a kickable penalty, with Genge then breaking off the maul.

Their forwards carry well deep in the 22 and Sinckler eventually crashes over with bodies all around him.

Referee Raynal awards the try quickly as Wales contest the decision.

An easy conversion made by Farrell. England restore their five-point lead.

TRY! Wales 10-8 England | Louis Rees-Zammit 41'

17:48 , George Flood

41 mins: Exactly the start to this second half that Wales needed!

Rees-Zammit is waiting to pick off Malins’ rogue pass and races away to score under the posts.

Halfpenny drills over the close-range conversion.

Momentum-changer! Suddenly this tense contest bursts into life.

“All that great defensive work of the first half undone in a flash,” says Nick Purewal at the Principality.

Second half

17:47 , George Flood

Back underway in Cardiff!

This cagey affair feels like it has a grandstand finish to come.

No changes from Gatland or Borthwick at the break.

Watch: England defence holds firm in 22

17:39 , George Flood

Nick Purewal at the Principality Stadium

17:36 , George Flood

England spent the last 10 minutes of the first half inviting pressure onto themselves. Farrell missed a routine penalty, Steward knocked on when he should have claimed a high bomb and Wales cleared quickly.

Lawrence and Dombrandt and then Ludlam then had to conjure potent turnovers deep in their own 22 to deny Wales a first-half try. Convert their chances, and England will win.

Half-time

17:33 , George Flood

Wales 3-8 England

Five points the difference at the interval.

Mostly dominant from England, but Wales had some real chances to get themselves in front late in that first half.

But their execution inside the 22 is sorely lacking and England’s last-ditch defence has been stellar.

17:32 , George Flood

41 mins: Again it’s just too ponderous from Wales on the back of the break and it allows England to get their defence in order.

Ludlam this time with the turnover to ensure yet another Welsh visit to an opponents’ 22 ends up pointless.

17:30 , George Flood

40 mins: Wales have one final chance to attack with the clock in the red after the scrum and another eye-catching, speedy break.

England’s defence is stretched as the home crowd roars on their team...

17:27 , George Flood

37 mins: Wales through 15 phases as Rees-Zammit weaves through, getting the fans on their feet.

Adams and Halfpenny also carrying well, trying to ignite this Welsh attack before the interval.

But it’s a massive opportunity missed in the 22 as they stay narrow, don’t look to exploit any width and Dombrandt gets the crucial steal at the breakdown.

Huge turnover from the Harlequins back-rower.

Penalty England, which Farrell clears brilliantly down field into touch.

Not for the first time in this Six Nations, Wales cannot turn a visit into the opposition 22 into points.

17:25 , George Flood

35 mins: England are penalised at the scrum this time as Genge is pinged for stepping back and hinging in his battle with Francis.

This has long since become a bit of a war of attrition played in front of an oddly subdued Principality crowd.

Can they spark some excitement before the break? This could be the chance...

17:23 , George Flood

34 mins: Steward comfortably takes in another Welsh boot forward and England almost break through.

Chessum races after a loose ball, having not heard the whistle after Steward actually knocked forward that time in a battle with Tomos Williams.

Welsh put-in at the scrum.

Farrell penalty missed

17:20 , George Flood

31 mins: A triumphant roar from the England pack after England win the scrum penalty, with tighthead Tomas Francis the man accused of collapsing under pressure from Genge.

Farrell lines up the kick, but it’s wide. He’ll want that one back.

Reprieve for Wales.

17:19 , George Flood

29 mins: Farrell cleverly pops Malins through a gap in the Welsh defence but he’s chopped down by Tshiunza.

Replays hark back to a big hit from Genge as England look to set the tone with their physicality.

Wales need to keep ball in hand here as England are gobbling up every high ball and kick that comes their way, led by the excellent Steward.

17:15 , George Flood

27 mins: The Welsh momentum is quickly stifled after that weaving Williams run, with Itoje and Sinckler combining to drill Alun Wyn Jones into the deck.

Farrell ends up earning the penalty for England at the breakdown.

You can see why Williams wanted to inject some attacking pace into Wales there, but they may well have preferred the three points...

17:14 , George Flood

26 mins: Wales decline a kick at goal after England infringe at the breakdown and scrum-half Tomos Williams jinks forward with pace and menace after a quick tap penalty.

17:13 , George Flood

25 mins: The usual scrum shenanigans are taking a lot of time off the clock just at the moment.

No side quite managing to gain the upper hand at the set-piece so far.

Watch: Watson finishes off well-worked England try

17:11 , George Flood

PENALTY! Wales 3-8 England | Leigh Halfpenny 21'

17:10 , George Flood

21 mins: Wales haven’t been in this game at all yet, but they have three points after Dombrandt is off his feet straight from the restart.

Borthwick will be livid as Halfpenny splits the uprights.

Nick Purewal at the Principality Stadium

17:09 , George Flood

A well-constructed score for England, sending Malins and Lawrence through the same channel, before Dombrandt fired out the final pass for Watson to fly in at the corner.

TRY! Wales 0-8 England | Anthony Watson 19'

17:07 , George Flood

19 mins: Watson marks his first England start for almost two years with a try!

They attack brilliantly off the scrum, getting forward at speed and then quick ball at the breakdown.

Malins and Lawrence combine before England swiftly work it left and Dombrandt fires a pass out to Watson, who goes over in the left corner.

Farrell’s conversion falls agonisingly short. 8-0 it stays.

17:06 , George Flood

17 mins: This is all rather aimless from Wales, kicking without much of a purpose.

All the game is being played in their half, with Tshiunza spilling forward during contact from Malins.

Scrum white.

Watson down and receiving treatment for England.

17:04 , George Flood

15 mins: A decent attack from England, who work the ball at speed and move it very nicely indeed between the hands again.

Solid carries from the likes of Watson and Dombrandt, with Genge getting over the gainline.

However, a spot of miscommunication between Watson and Sinckler results in crossing and the pressure on Wales is relieved.

17:02 , George Flood

14 mins: Jack Willis picks up where he left off last week with some expert jackalling at the breakdown, earning England the penalty.

17:01 , George Flood

12 mins: Steward races back to dot down beyond his own line after a searching kick from Josh Adams.

We’re fully engaged in the kicking battle now, with neither side keen to play much rugby inside their own half.

England have asked plenty of questions in this opening quarter of an hour.

PENALTY! Wales 0-3 England | Owen Farrell 10'

16:58 , George Flood

10 mins: A brilliant kick from a long way out from Farrell and the first chance for points are gratefully accepted.

An encouraging start from England.

16:57 , George Flood

8 mins: This is breathless stuff early on, with the ball in play a whole lot as England pile on the pressure.

Wales are pinged for not rolling away in the tackle after some fine play from Alex Dombrandt and loosehead Gareth Thomas will need to be checked after tackling with the wrong shoulder on towering England lock Ollie Chessum.

Looks like he will be okay to continue.

Farrell lines up a long-range kick at goal...

16:54 , George Flood

6 mins: An initial turnover there from Faletau but England are quickly back on the attack, led initially by Max Malins.

England are waiting patiently for an opening with quick ball and solid carries, but the Welsh defence stands firm.

A knock-on from Henry Slade then leads to a Welsh scrum.

16:52 , George Flood

5 mins: Some strange kicking from both sides here as a deep up-and-under from England into the 22 almost pays off, with the Welsh defence uncertain.

England try to attack through Lawrence before a miscued clearing kick from Wales invites the pressure back.

England now in control again and working through the phases with some good passing and nifty handling...

16:51 , George Flood

3 mins: Very loose from Wales off the second lineout of the day - stodgy and sloppy passing as Itoje goes in search of the loose ball.

We now have the first scrum of the afternoon, with Welsh put-in. But they are too eager and engage early, resulting in a free-kick for England.

Nick Purewal at the Principality Stadium

16:50 , George Flood

Some plucky England fans pipe up with Swing Lo, and after a chorus of boos the home faithful rock the very foundations with Wales, Wales chants.

16:50 , George Flood

2 mins: An early scare for England as Owen Farrell’s kick is charged down and the recalled Taulupe Faletau races after Freddie Steward, whose bare backside is exposed as he clears up very well indeed.

He shrugs off Faletau before weaving forward and England are eventually able to clear.

KICK-OFF

16:47 , George Flood

We are underway in Cardiff!

French referee Mathieu Raynal blows his whistle and new Welsh fly-half Owen Williams kicks to begin...

16:45 , George Flood

Land of My Fathers at the Principality is always a true sight to behold.

Whatever else is going on, you can never, ever doubt the pure passion for rugby in Wales.

16:43 , George Flood

There’s also a minute’s silence in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, with it being a year now since Russia’s invasion of the country.

Now we’ll have the anthems, with ‘God Save the King’ followed by ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’.

Nick Purewal at the Principality Stadium

16:41 , George Flood

Both teams arrive to the strains of Metallica’s Enter Sandman, apt enough after Wales’ nightmare week.

Warren Gatland knows just how to turn a crisis into an opportunity, with Wales ready to vent their anger from strike threats on their visitors.

England desperately need to absorb the febrile atmosphere and keep their composure.

16:40 , George Flood

Here come the teams in Cardiff!

Owen Farrell and Ken Owens lead out their respective sides at the Principality, accompanied by the usual burst of pyrotechnics.

We’ll pause to remember the late Charlie Faulkner before the national anthems.

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Principality Stadium

16:35 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal is at the Principality Stadium, where he’s has to step inside to offer his pre-match thoughts, such is the cacophony of noise at arguably the world’s best rugby venue...

16:29 , George Flood

Final preparations in Cardiff!

The atmosphere is already bouncing at the Principality, where England have insisted that the roof remain open this afternoon.

England's forward conundrum

16:16 , Alex Young

Courtney Lawes is poised to win his 97th cap off the bench in what will be his first appearance since leading the July tour to Australia. Concussion, neck, glute and calf injuries have disrupted his season but his value is illustrated by England's decision to recall the versatile Northampton forward at the first available opportunity.

A fit Lawes creates a selection conundrum - under Eddie Jones he was an automatic pick and Steve Borthwick will want to accommodate a player who has produced his best rugby in his twilight years, but who in the back five misses out?

The back row of Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis and Alex Dombrandt has functioned well, while rookie lock Ollie Chessum has excelled. Instead, and for the first time in his career, it is an out-of-sorts Maro Itoje who is vulnerable. As proved by overlooking Manu Tuilagi, Borthwick is unafraid to make brave calls so Itoje needs to deliver against Wales to tighten his grip on the number four jersey.

Borthwich targets the basics

16:09 , Alex Young

Steve Borthwick is targeting his first away win and on Thursday the head coach made another pointed reference to the health of the side he inherited from the sacked Eddie Jones in December.

To "lift the team from where it has been to where we want to take it" Borthwick aims to strengthen the basics but while forward steps were taken against Italy, especially in the scrum maul and midfield, even a humdrum Wales will provide a step up in opposition.

15:52 , Alex Young

It’s already very lively outside the ground. The 139th instalment of one of rugby’s fiercest rivalries, and a match-up which Wales haven’t lost in Cardiff in the last five.

Wales galvanished after strike chaos

15:39 , Alex Young

Wales captain Ken Owens never wants to see a repeat of the off-field crisis that engulfed Welsh rugby and threatened today's game.

Compromises were ultimately found with Welsh rugby powerbrokers over contentious issues like fixed-variable contracts across the regional game. Wales must now look to revive their Six Nations campaign by beating England.

"It has been a shock to all the players," Owens said. "There were a lot of tough conversations and meetings, everyone voiced their opinion and everyone backed the decision that the team and the squad have made.

"It (strike action) was a last resort, and the frustrations that have built up over a year, not just the last six weeks, brought it to this. The squad has been galvanised and come together, and I am sure you will see that on Saturday

"It is a shame it got as far as it did, but what is done is done, what has gone has gone. We have made a stand, we have made people stand up and take notice and showed the strength we have as a playing group.

"And if we can move on now and concentrate on the rugby, the powers that be will get things done and the players will have their seat at the table and a voice and hopefully we will never end up in this situation again.

"They (Welsh public) gave us their support, and now we owe them a performance that Wales can be proud of on Saturday to repay their support for us."

Smith tipped to make an impact

15:19 , Alex Young

Marcus Smith will have a “very important” role to play from the England bench this afternoon.

That’s according to Nick Evans, who worked closely with the fly-half at Harlequins before joining the England set-up for the 2023 Six Nations.

Smith started the Championship opener against Scotland, but joined the replacements for the Twickenham victory over Italy as Owen Farrell was switched from 12 to 10 and Steve Borthwick claimed his first win as England boss.

“Marcus has been brilliant and every player on the bench has got a very important role to play,” said former New Zealand outside-half Nick Evans, who worked closely with Smith at Harlequins before joining the England set-up for the 2023 Six Nations.

“I was sat behind a pretty good player a lot of times in Dan Carter. I know what it feels like to be in that position, so I am able to give them advice. Are you just watching the game or actually seeing what’s happening on the field? We have a real clear communication pathway to Marcus and what’s expected of him when he comes on.

“His role will be different at times, because it’s different to when you’re starting or you’re on the bench, but he will have a big impact. We’re not asking him to go out and be Owen, we’re asking him to go out there and be Marcus Smith.”

Crowd key for both sides

15:07 , Alex Young

Alex Dombrandt says England’s handle of the Principality Stadium crowd will be key to recording a first win in Cardiff for six years.

The famous fixture has the potential to break either side's Six Nations and Dombrandt is confident the home fans will boost Warren Gatland's struggling side.

When asked if England planned to silence the crowd, the Harlequins number eight replied: "Definitely. If we can have a good start and get on top early, you never know - the crowd might grow quiet.

"When Wales are on top, the atmosphere can be loud. If the crowd are quiet or not as loud as they usually are, then it means you're usually doing something right. So the more we can nullify their threats and be on top, you'd like to think maybe they'll be a bit quieter.

"I have experienced what it's like on a match day in Cardiff - it's crazy, it's carnage - and these are the games you want to be involved in. The atmosphere is going to be electric, it's going to be loud.

"I was thinking earlier in the week that we had to play games in Covid with no crowds and you didn't want to do that, so we have to embrace this. Mistakes will happen, that's just the nature of rugby. It's all about getting stuck into the next thing and going back to what we know works for us and don't go into our shells."

Wales ring the changes

14:58 , Alex Young

Wales have made nine changes to the side that ran Scotland close in the first half at Murrayfield a fortnight ago before going down meekly 35-7, with Cardiff centre Mason Grady handed his Test debut in midfield in place of George North.

Josh Adams, Joe Hawkins, Tomos Williams, skipper Owens, Adam Beard and Christ Tshiunza are the only players to retain their starting berths from Glasgow, with experienced heads such as Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau all recalled.

Leigh Halfpenny and Louis Rees-Zammit start after injury, with Owen Williams getting the nod at fly-half for the first time. Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis return as props, with the likes of Dan Biggar, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell all dropping to the bench.

North, Liam Williams, Jac Morgan and Wyn Jones are not in the matchday squad at all, while Scott Baldwin, Leon Brown, Rhys Davies, Rhys Webb, Rhys Patchell and Alex Cuthbert all drop off the bench as Bradley Roberts, Kieran Hardy and Nick Tompkins step up.

Watson back in from the cold

14:51 , Alex Young

Anthony Watson has been handed his first England start in almost two years for today’s crunch clash, having finally been declared fully fit after a leg injury.

Watson replaces the injured Ollie Hassell-Collins at the Principality Stadium, in the only change to the XV which beat Italy two weeks ago.

Courtney Lawes will take a seat on the bench, having finally shaken off glute and calf concerns. Lawes steps onto the bench ahead of Saracens’ Nick Isiekwe, with Ben Curry covering the back row from the bench.

Ben Curry has replaced twin brother Tom, who suffered a new hamstring injury earlier this week having only just beaten a similar issue to return to the squad.

Wales vs England prediction

14:37 , Alex Young

It’s hard to know what impact such a difficult few days and weeks will have had on this Wales squad.

Will they be galvanised by such a regrettable episode, develop a siege mentality and be keener than ever to knock off their most hated rivals on home soil?

Or will their respective energies have been totally drained by all the tedious in-fighting and attentions understandably drifted to matters more important than the game?

England were better against an admittedly well below-par Italy side to claim the first victory of the Borthwick era, but it wasn’t especially pretty with set-piece and maul winning the day in a dominant display up front.

While there were promising signs with Owen Farrell back at fly-half, Marcus Smith in reserve and a new midfield pairing of powerful crash-ball 12 Ollie Lawrence and the multi-skilled Henry Slade, not to mention the superb display from Jack Willis on the flank, they were too eager to put boot to ball in attacking situations in the opposition 22 and must resist the urge to do so with such frequency here.

Expect a typically punishing encounter between these old enemies, with huge hits and gruelling physicality the order of the day and England just about coming out on top to exploit a truly rotten week for Welsh rugby.

England to win by six points.

England lineup

14:26 , Alex Young

England XV: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson; Farrell (c), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, B Curry, Mitchell, M Smith, Arundell.

Wales lineup

14:25 , Alex Young

Wales XV: Halfpenny; Adams, Grady, Hawkins, Rees-Zammit; O Williams, T Williams; G Thomas, Owens (c), Francis, Beard, AW Jones, Tshiunza, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Roberts, Carre, Lewis, Jenkins, Reffell, Hardy, Biggar, Tompkins.

How to watch Wales vs England

14:20 , Alex Young

TV channel: In the UK, Wales vs England is being broadcast live and free-to-air on BBC One and S4C, with coverage beginning at 4pm on both channels.

Live stream: Fans can also follow the game live online via the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and S4C Clic.

Welcome

14:15 , Alex Young

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Wales vs England in the 2023 Six Nations.

Steve Borthwick's side make the trip to Cardiff in round three hoping to take full advantage of a truly torrid few weeks for Welsh rugby and make it back-to-back wins to give their new era proper lift-off after Italy were dismissed at Twickenham a fortnight ago.

A bitter and complicated contract dispute with the WRU involving player contracts has made Wales the "laughing stock" of the sport according to captain Ken Owens, with the seemingly very real threat of strike action only averted after an uneasy truce agreed on Wednesday evening.

Things aren't much better on the pitch, where Warren Gatland and Wales are desperate to avoid opening the Six Nations with three straight defeats for the first time since 2007, having been thrashed by both Ireland and Scotland in the opening rounds.

Kick-off here is at 4:45pm GMT, so stick with us for all the build-up, latest team news, lineups, thoughts from both camps and minute-by-minute match updates, with expert analysis from Standard Sport's rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at the Principality Stadium.