Jonathan and James Davies start for Wales against England

Warren Gatland selects brothers in a strong starting XV for RWC warm-up in Cardiff

Jonathan Davies will be joined by brother James in the Wales XV for Saturday’s clash against England in Cardiff. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty
Jonathan Davies will be joined by brother James in the Wales XV for Saturday’s clash against England in Cardiff. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty

Jonathan and James Davies will become the first set of brothers since 2006 to start for Wales when they feature against England on Saturday.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named Scarlets openside flanker James alongside back-row colleagues Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty for the World Cup warm-up clash in Cardiff.

Jonathan, meanwhile, partners Hadleigh Parkes in midfield as Wales look to bounce back from a 33-19 loss to England at Twickenham last weekend.

They are the first set of brothers to play alongside each other for Wales since Jamie and Nicky Robinson 13 years ago.

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James Davies replaces Justin Tipuric, while two other changes from the England defeat see fly-half Dan Biggar in for an injured Gareth Anscombe and lock Jake Ball replacing Adam Beard.

Biggar starts with Anscombe having suffered a World Cup-ending knee ligament injury at Twickenham.

And Cardiff Blues forward Josh Navidi is among the replacements, along with his Blues colleague and fly-half Jarrod Evans.

Gatland said: “This weekend is another opportunity for us to take the field, test ourselves and continue our preparation for Japan.

“It is a little over five weeks until we kick off our campaign in Toyota against Georgia, and it is important we are fully prepared and rugby-ready by then.

“We were disappointed to get the loss last weekend, so it is important we step it up on Saturday and put in a big display in front a of a packed Principality Stadium.

“The squad are looking forward to getting back out there, taking another step towards the World Cup and putting in a big performance.”

Wales are unbeaten at the Principality Stadium since world champions New Zealand toppled them in November 2017, since when they have reeled off 10 successive victories.

Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (C); Aaron Wainwright, James Davies, Ross Moriarty. Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi, Aled Davies, Jarrod Evans, Owen Watkin.