Watson on the wing for England against Wales

BAGSHOT, England :Anthony Watson will make his first start for England in two years after being named on the wing for Saturday's Six Nations game against Wales.

He replaces the injured Ollie Hassell-Collins on the left wing in the only change from the team who beat Italy two weeks ago.

Former captain Courtney Lawes and Ben Curry are named on the bench, along with livewire winger Henry Arundell.

It will be the classy Watson’s first start since the Six Nations in 2021, the year he also appeared twice for the British & Irish Lions against South Africa.

He made a late replacement appearance in the opening game against Scotland earlier this month but was not involved versus Italy.

Watson, who turns 29 on Sunday, missed almost a year with a knee injury but kick-started his career after moving from Bath to Leicester this season.

Curry was called up earlier in the week after his brother Tom was ruled out of the rest of the championship with a hamstring strain. He too played in the first game before being dropped for the Italy match.

Lawes has played only a handful of games for his club Northampton after a succession of concussion and injury issues and last featured for England in Australia last July.

"Wales v England in Cardiff is one of the iconic rugby fixtures, steeped in history and always full of passion,” coach Steve Borthwick said.

“We know the Principality Stadium crowd will be in full voice and we will have to be at our very best to repeat the success we had in the last round against Italy.

"I am delighted to have welcomed Courtney Lawes back to the squad after injury. His quality and experience has contributed to a focused training week, marked by the sort of competition and intensity we expect.

Wales coach Warren Gatland named