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Ben James

The likely Wales team to play England as players told who's in

There's something different about a Test week when Wales take on England.

Despite what players might say, every Welsh player wants to be in the side when the clash with England comes around.

And on Tuesday, the Welsh squad were believed to have found out who will be in the side to take on Eddie Jones' men at Twickenham.

Most of the side is fairly settled.

Read more: The latest England v Wales headlines ahead of the weekend

Liam Williams was never in any real danger of losing the 15 jersey in this campaign, but an impressive performance against Scotland to answer the critics makes him nailed on there.

The wings seem likely to change with Josh Adams set to return to the back-three. It now looks likely that it'll be Alex Cuthbert on the other touchline, with Louis Rees-Zammit set to drop out of the side as he returns to Gloucester.

Midfield is arguably the most unsettled area of the side.

Pivac has named eight different combinations in his last eight matches. Even if it seems likely that Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin will retain their place, you can never be sure with the Welsh centre selections.

Jonathan Davies' cameo off the bench in his 100th cap would have done his selection chances no harm, given how assured the defence looked during his time on the field.

Then there's Willis Halaholo, who hasn't played since December but would offer Wales the creative spark they desperately need. However, while Wales' attack struggles to hold defences, the Cardiff midfielder is surely lacking the required minutes to be involved from the start.

Pivac, if he so wished, could even throw Adams back into midfield - but that seems unlikely now.

If the centres aren't assured, then the half-backs are.

Tomos Williams is quietly making his mark at first-choice scrum-half, playing a crucial role in Wales' defence. With ball in hand, he could perhaps look to threaten the fringes more - but it feels like he's playing to the game plan at the minute.

That plan revolves around playing off 10 frequently and Dan Biggar is safe as houses in that position. Little more needs to be said.

The front-row of Wyn Jones , Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis seems pretty settled, with Elias putting in perhaps his finest Test performance to date against Scotland last time out.

The Scarlets hooker will have another big task on his hands at HQ. As important as nailing his own arrows will be, Elias will also likely be called on to monitor the tail of the lineout as England will look to flood options around Harlequins star Alex Dombrandt.

Having done a job on curbing Scotland's quick lineouts last week, he might be on the case again this week.

Moving through the pack, Wales face a first Test match against England without Alun Wyn Jones involved for the first time since February 2006. Back then, Ian Gough and Robert Sidoli had little answer to a dominant English pack in a 47-13 thrashing.

This time around, Adam Beard and Will Rowlands will be hoping for better. Without Jones around, these two are assured of their starting place.

Matters are less clear in the back-row.

The adage of not changing a winning team would have seemed simple enough, given how Taine Basham , Jac Morgan and Ross Moriarty went last time out.

However, the return of Taulupe Faletau into the squad raises some selection questions. The Bath No. 8 is undoubtedly a world-class player, but he's short on minutes after an injury nightmare.

If you were a betting man, you'd look at Pivac sticking with the same back-row and potentially bring Faletau onto the bench.

Likely Wales starting XV: Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Louis Rees-Zammit, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams, Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Taine Basham, Jac Morgan, Ross Moriarty

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