Veteran Scarlets hooker Robin McBryde missed Wales narrow defeat to France with tonsillitis, but has recovered to reclaim his place in the starting line-up from Warriors Mefin Davies, who moves to the bench. McBryde is joined by Ospreys prop Duncan Jones who returns from a wrist injury to replace Iestyn Thomas as the coach attempts to find the right front row combination to take on England.
“Robin was originally selected for the France match and it is natural to bring him back into the side as he contributes a vast amount of experience to the front row,” said Hansen.
“Duncan gives us an extra option in terms of ball carrying and he regains his place over the unfortunate Iestyn Thomas after proving his fitness.
“We’ve had a good week in preparation and are looking forward to going to Twickenham to play the World Champions.
“Any previous meetings between these two nations, including the World Cup, are irrelevant as neither of these selected teams have played each other before.”
Stephen Jones will equal Cliff Morgan’s 28 appearances at fly-half for Wales (although he has also figured twice at centre and once at full back). The only player to have made more appearance in the No 10 jersey is Neil Jenkins (65).
Gareth Llewellyn, assuming he comes on during the game, will become Wales’ most capped player against England. He is tied with Gareth Edwards and WJ “Billy” Bancroft on 12 appearances against the English.
WALES: Gareth Thomas (Warriors); Rhys Williams (Blues), Mark Taylor (Scarlets), Iestyn Harris (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Warriors); Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Robin McBryde (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Warriors), Brent Cockbain (Warriors), Michael Owen (Dragons), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Colin Charvis (Tarbes, Captain), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets)
Replacements: Mefin Davies (Warriors), Ben Evans (Blues), Gareth Llewellyn (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Blues), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets), Ceri Sweeney (Warriors), Tom Shanklin (Blues)
