Lydiate to captain Wales against England

Dan Lydiate will lead Wales against England at Twickenham on Sunday as Warren Gatland‘s side begin their five match summer tour.
Lydiate continues with the captain’s duties after leading Wales to their record-breaking (67-14) victory against Italy in their last outing. The captain will start at openside with Ross Moriarty at blindside and Taulupe Faletau at No.8.
It is an unchanged front-row for Wales with Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee packing down for the sixth consecutive time together.
Jake Ball will win his 18th cap in the second row alongside Alun Wyn Jones who returns from injury and moves onto 99 Wales caps.
There is just one change in the back-line from the side that beat Italy with Scott Williams returning from injury to partner Jamie Roberts in the midfield.
Ospreys pair Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar continue at half-back with Hallam Amos, George North and Liam Williams making up the back-three.
“When you look at the summer series ahead, this is a really important match for the squad,” said Gatland.
“When looking at previous summer tours and planning for New Zealand, we felt we needed greater preparation to prepare us for the step up in intensity and the match against England will provide that for us.
“It will be an important hit-out for both teams and as ever it will be an important Test match as it’s England v Wales at Twickenham.
“There is a lot of continuity in our squad and a great amount of experience and that is going to be vital over the next five weeks.
“Dan led us exceptionally well in our last match so deserves to continue with those duties this weekend.”
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones; Ross Moriarty, Dan Lydiate (c), Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Gethin Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Josh Turnbull, James King, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Gareth Anscombe