Wales head coach Warren Gatland names Six Nations team 48 hours early

Wales boss Warren Gatland has sprung the first surprise of this season's RBS Six Nations Championship — by naming his team to face England 48 hours early.

Gatland has revealed his hand for Friday night’s Millennium Stadium showdown two days ahead of schedule.

And it contains no surprises as Wales prepare for a World Cup dress rehearsal against opponents they crushed by a record 30-3 scoreline the last time England visited Cardiff two years ago.

The team, which was announced on the Welsh Rugby Union's official Twitter feed, shows just two changes from the side that toppled South Africa in November, with wing George North and hooker Richard Hibbard both returning to action.

Wales captain Sam Warburton, meanwhile, will win his 50th cap.

"We decided to name the team early to give the players the best possible chance of preparation," Gatland said in a Welsh Rugby Union statement.

“It was a tough call on the two changes we have made from the side that beat South Africa, but it’s good to have these and other tough selection decisions and it’s a strong position to be in.

“We are excited about kicking the tournament off on Friday against a strong England side in front of a packed Millennium Stadium.”

North missed the Springboks clash due to concussion, while Gloucester forward Hibbard was unavailable because that game fell outside the World Rugby’s autumn Test window and he had to be released back to his club.

In-form Scarlets back Liam Williams had been tipped to retain one of the wing slots but he has to settle for a place on the bench, while Hibbard takes over from Scott Baldwin, who is also on replacement duty.

There are 11 starting line-up survivors from two years ago when Wales put England to the sword. The English team is expected to be named on Wednesday.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon); Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Samson Lee (Scarlets); Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys); Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets).