Dan Lydiate to captain Wales against England
Dan Lydiate will captain Wales against England at Twickenham on Sunday
©Press Association
Ospreys flanker Dan Lydiate will be leading the Wales team against England at Twickenham on Sunday.
Lydiate, who has 59 Test caps representing Wales, will rally the troop against the Six Nations champions after regular skipper Sam Warburton was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Wales have made five changes to their side from the previous encounter against England in Six Nations with starts for centre Scott Williams, wing Hallam Amos, scrum-half Rhys Webb, lock Jake Ball and flanker Ross Moriarty.
Lydiate, who captained Wales to victory against Italy in Six Nations will move to openside and will have the lock Alun Wyn Jones returning from a knee injury.
This will also be Williams' first game for Wales after suffering a knee injury against England in the 2015 World Cup.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland believes the game against England will be a perfect preparation for their summer tour of New Zealand.
"When you look at the summer series ahead, this is a really important match for the squad.
"When looking at previous summer tours and planning for New Zealand, we felt we needed greater preparation to prepare us for the step-up in intensity, and the match against England will provide that for us.
"It will be an important hit-out for both teams, and as ever it will be an important Test match as it's England versus Wales at Twickenham.
"There is a lot of continuity in our squad and a great amount of experience, and that is going to be vital over the next five weeks.
Gatland also expressed confidence in Lydiate's ability to lead the side in the absence of their seasoned campaigner, Warburton.
"Dan led us exceptionally well in our last match, so deserves to continue with those duties this weekend."
Wales: Liam Williams, George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate (capt), Ross Moriarty, Alun-Wyn Jones, Jake Ball, Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Rob Evans. Res: Kristian Dacey, Gethin Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Josh Turnbull, James King, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Gareth Anscombe.
