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

The National Times - Roberts moves to wing for winless Wales against England in Six Nations

Weather - Sydney 23°C

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

SPORTS 13.03.2025

Roberts moves to wing for winless Wales against England in Six Nations / Photo: © AFP

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.

Change text size:

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 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.

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)

A.M.James--TNT

Featured

Former SNY Host Niki Lattarulo Confirms Layoffs Amid Network Cuts

Former SNY host Niki Lattarulo has confirmed she was among the editorial staff laid off last week as the sports network canceled two of its flagship programs. The cuts coincide with a broader operational review that includes removing past content from the network's website, though core Mets and Jets coverage will continue.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: