Relief for Stuart Lancaster as trio recover for Wales test

The England coach, who named his team to face Wales today, has welcomed back Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling, who have passed late fitness tests, as well as Owen Farrell.

Farrell missed the scrappy win over Italy with a thigh injury but returns to the starting line-up, in place of Toby Flood, as one of four changes made by Lancaster.

Tom Croft comes in for James Haskell at blindside flanker, Joe Marler has reclaimed the loosehead prop position from Mako Vunipola and England will start with Ben Youngs at scrum-half alongside Farrell.

“I am delighted Owen is fit — he is a big game player — and the pleasing thing is both our second rows came through,” Lancaster said.

“Geoff had that bang on his shoulder and neither he nor Joe trained on Tuesday. I was pretty confident last night and this morning we had a lineout session at 8.30am and they were fine. It is great for them to play the final game. They have been great for us in this championship.”

Wales, too, named their line-up today, with prop Gethin Jenkins getting the nod as captain in place of Ryan Jones, who is sidelined with a broken shoulder.

Justin Tipuric is also named in the starting XV and will start alongside Sam Warburton for the first time.