An England team with one British and Irish Lion in their ranks take on a Welsh side containing 12 tomorrow with an interest in the Six Nations title, a Triple Crown, revenge for Cardiff and the chance to gain a World Cup edge all at stake.

England coach Stuart Lancaster named his expected team yesterday, with number eight Ben Morgan starting in place of the injured Billy Vunipola as the only change from the team who beat Ireland 13-10 two weeks ago.

Flyhalf Owen Farrell is the solitary Lion in the side, whereas Wales, coached by Lions head coach Warren Gatland, have a dozen of the men who completed a series victory over Australia last year.

Lancaster, however, has never been one to look back and was focusing on the positives after losing Vunipola, a destructive ball-carrying force in the opening three games but ruled out of the rest of the tournament with ankle ligament damage.

“Ben has made an impact off the bench in the previous games.

“He has been pushing hard for the number eight shirt and now gets his opportunity so we are looking forward to seeing him from the start,” Lancaster said in a statement.

“Tom Johnson has been outstanding for Exeter Chiefs and gives us options off the bench as he has played in all three back row positions for his club.”

Morgan, who has been a mobile and effective replacement in his last six games, will start for the first time since he played in both test victories in Argentina in June.

Two-times defending champions Wales, England, Ireland and France all have four points after winning two and losing one of their first three games.

Wales are seeking to become the first team to win the title outright three years in a row while England are looking for only their second championship in 11 years. Defeat for either side would almost certainly end their chances.

The Triple Crown is also at stake tomorrow but while 30 years ago that honour would be at the forefront of both teams’ minds, these days it barely gets a mention.

Of far greater importance is the fact that the teams will meet again in Twickenham in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup and with Australia in the same group, defeat for either side could prevent them reaching the quarter-finals.

England, too, have a point to prove after being humiliated 30-3 a year ago, having travelled to Cardiff targeting a grand slam.

That was the third successive English defeat to the Welsh and they failed to score a try in any of them.

Along with South Africa, they are the only top level country Lancaster has failed to beat in his two-and-a-bit years in charge.

Fixtures

Playing today: 3.30pm Ireland vs Italy; 6pm Scotland vs France.

Tomorrow: 4pm England vs Wales.

Standings: Ireland (2-0-1) 4; England (2-0-1) 4; Wales (2-0-1) 4; France (2-0-1) 4; Scotland (1-0-2) 2; Italy (0-0-3) 0.