Warburton returns for Wales at Twickenham

SAM WARBURTON has been passed fit to captain Wales for their Six Nations showdown with England at Twickenham.

The flanker missed the win over Scotland a fortnight ago with a dead leg.

Lock Alun-Wyn Jones also returns from injury as Wales look to improve their shaky line-out performance, although they have been dealt a further blow with hooker Huw Bennett joining Matthew Rees on the sidelines. Ken Owens makes his first start in the No. 2 shirt.

Wales are two-point favourites to gain just their second win at Twickenham since 1988.

Ireland take on Italy in Dublin on Saturday and coach Declan Kidney has stuck with the team selected for the match against France that was postponed ten days ago.

France name an unchanged team to face Scotland on Sunday.

Wales team: L Halfpenny; A Cuthbert, J Davies, J Roberts, G North; R Priestland, M Phillips; G Jenkins, K Owens, Adam Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones, I Evans, D Lydiate, S Warburton, T Faletau; replacements: R Hibbard, P James, R Jones, J Tipuric,
L Williams, J Hook, S Williams.

Ireland team: R Kearney; T Bowe, K Earls, G D’Arcy, A Trimble; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy,  R Best, M Ross, D O’Callaghan, PO’Connell, S Ferris, S O’Brien, J Heaslip; replacements: S Cronin, T Court, D Ryan, P O’Mahony, E Reddan, R O’Gara, F McFadden.

France team: M Medard; V Clerc, A Rougerie, W Fofana, J Malzieu; F Trinh-Duc, M Parra; J-B Poux, D Szarzewski, N Mas, P Pape, Y Maestri, T Dusautoir, I Harinordoquy, L Picamoles; replacements: W Servat, V Debaty, L Nallet, J Bonnaire,J Dupuy, L Beauxis, M Mermoz.

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