England’s Randall to start against Wales

Harry Randall will start at scrum-half in England’s Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham, with the returning Courtney Lawes named as captain.

Manu Tuilagi returns from injury to partner Henry Slade in the midfield.

Alex Dombrandt starts at number eight, with Sam Simmonds once again on the bench.

England team to face Wales: Steward; Malins, Slade, Tuilagi, Nowell; Smith, Randall; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Ewels, Itoje, Lawes (Capt), Curry, Dombrandt.

Replacements: George, Marler, Stuart, Isiekwe, Simmonds, Youngs, Ford, Daly.

In the front row, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie starts in place of Jamie George, while prop Kyle Sinckler pushes Will Stuart to the bench to make his 50th England appearance.

Lawes has not played since mid-January because of a concussion, but has been declared both fit to start and regain the captaincy he had against South Africa in the autumn, with flanker Tom Curry standing down from the role.

With Northampton team-mate Dan Biggar leading Wales, it is the first time in history the captains in an England against Wales fixture have both come from the same club.

Youngs is set to surpass Jason Leonard’s record of 114 caps for England’s men if he takes to the field at Twickenham.

England lost their opening game against Scotland before a bonus-point win in Italy, meaning they realistically need victory against Wales to keep alive their title hopes.

Last year’s winners Wales – who have recalled wing Josh Adams and number eight Taulupe Faletau for the game – have also won one and lost one of their fixtures so far.

‘This game suits Randall starting’ – Jones

Randall, 24, combined with fly-half Marcus Smith, 23, to contribute to an impressive, pacey attack against Italy in Rome.

An impassioned Welsh side will provide a tougher Test for the pair, but England head coach Eddie Jones has faith in Randall – who only has four international caps.

Explaining why the Bristol scrum-half was chosen over the more experienced Youngs, Jones told BBC Sport starting “suits” Randall in this match.

“We haven’t picked him to slow the ball down and box-kick from everything,” Jones said.

“We want him to play his natural game. Him and Marcus have got something a bit different about them.

“At the start of the game there’ll be a bit of space, a bit of pace on the ball. That is when Harry’s at his best.

“We want to take the game to Wales early and we know the last part of the game will be nip and tuck and there’s no better player than Ben Youngs to control a team at the end of the game.”

‘Unique’ Tuilagi returns

As well as Randall and Smith, the physical heft of returning centre Tuilagi adds a further threat to England’s backline.

The 30-year-old’s long history with injury has meant he has missed 79 possible matches since making his England debut in 2011 and the side has frequently struggled to find a suitable replacement in midfield.

Back after his most recent hamstring issue, Jones said Tuilagi “is a Test match winner”, adding “you can’t say that about too many players”.

“We don’t have any other centres like that with that weight, power and velocity with which they carry,” Jones continued.

“He’s unique for England.”