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Roberts moves to wing for winless Wales against England in Six Nations

rugby13 March 2025 15:37| © AFP
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Joe Roberts © Gallo Images

Scarlets centre Joe Roberts will make his first professional start on the wing when Wales bid to end their lengthy losing streak in a Six Nations finale against title contenders England.

Roberts will be out wide in Saturday's match in Cardiff after Tom Rogers suffered a fractured thumb during the early stages of Wales' 35-29 defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend.

With both Rogers, fellow wing Josh Adams and back three-star Liam Williams all injured, interim Wales head coach Matt Sherratt opted not to call anyone else into his squad for the England game.

Sherratt has made one other change to the team that kicked-off against Scotland, with Aaron Wainwright selected at blindside flanker.

Wainwright's inclusion means Wales captain Jac Morgan switches to his more familiar openside role and Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell drops to the replacements' bench.

Roberts impressed on the wing after coming on for Rogers in Edinburgh to win his fourth cap.

Wales go into Saturday's match bidding to avoid a 17th successive test defeat and 11th Six Nations loss on the bounce.

England, by contrast, will arrive at the Principality Stadium as outside title contenders, although a win for France against Scotland will likely secure the trophy for Les Bleus.

Saturday's match will also mark the end of Cardiff boss Sherratt's three-game stint as caretaker Wales boss after the Englishman was parachuted in mid-tournament after a dire 22-15 defeat by Italy in Rome last month marked the end of Warren Gatland's unsuccessful second spell in charge.

Wales are on the worst international losing streak in their history, having not won a test since defeating Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

And yet such is the Six Nations' points system that a lone bonus point in defeat by England could see Wales avoid a second straight bottom-of-the-table finish even they lost to Italy, with the Azzurri at home to Ireland on Saturday.

Wales were much improved in Sherratt's first game in charge, giving Ireland a genuine fright before going down 27-18 to the double defending champions.

And they also demonstrated plenty of resilience and no little attacking skill in claiming two bonus points in Edinburgh after Scotland had surged into a 35-8 lead.

England know a five-point win in Cardiff would pile the pressure on leaders France, who would then need to beat Scotland in Paris to take the title.

"Wales-England is always a special occasion, and we know it will be an incredible atmosphere at Principality Stadium," said Sherratt. "We are excited to finish our campaign at home and are looking to put in our best performance on the pitch on Saturday."

WALES (15-1): Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Joe Roberts; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan (capt), Aaron Wainwright; Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands; WillGriff John, Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith

REPLACEMENTS: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins

COACH: Matt Sherratt (ENG)

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