Event of the Day: Wales versus England
Our event of the day is the Six Nations fixture between Wales and England at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Both teams are 2 wins out of 2 so far in the tournament and so their hopes of pursing a Grand Slam are on the line tonight. Wales will field a vastly changed team to the one that overcame Italy last time out. Meanwhile, England will primarily rely on the team that has served them well so far. This is one match you won’t want to miss. The dream of a Glam Slam will end tonight for one team as the Six Nations’ two remaining undefeated sides clash in Cardiff. Wales have their best start to a Six Nations tournament since 2012, a year where they completed the Grand Slam. So far in 2019’s competition, they have put away an underperforming French side and dominated a lacklustre Italian team. However, this does mean that England will be the first real test of the tournament for Wales. 
The Welsh ride an 11-game win streak and a win today would set a new record for consecutive wins for the Welsh national side. Warren Gatland, coaching his last Six Nations game against England before he retires later this year, has made numerous changes to his starting XV prior to this match. Some changes have been necessitated due to injury while others are simply to ensure that the strongest side starts against England. Gareth Davies will be Wales’ third starting scrum-half of the tournament while Josh Navidi will be the only holdover in the back row. Meanwhile, England come into this fixture having made a strong statement in their opening matches. They upset Ireland in Dublin to begin the competition, scoring 32 points in a rout of the world’s form team. They followed that with an easy 44-8 win over France. They change little from the squad that recorded the first two wins. Jack Nowell will start once again, as he did against Ireland, while Ben Moon will get the start at loose-head prop over the inexperienced Ellis Genge - both players are trying to fill the large shoes of the incredible Mako Vunipola who suffered an ankle injury against France. England are the favourites going into this match - they are 5-0 in their last five Six Nations fixtures against Wales and head coach Eddie Jones is 4 for 4 in Test fixtures against Wales during his tenure. England last recorded a Grand Slam in the Six Nations in 2016. If they are able to see off Wales, a Grand Salm for England will look all the more likely. Be sure you don’t miss this exciting showdown in Cardiff tonight.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA, where the Golden State Warriors host the Houston Rockets. The Warriors top the Western Conference, holding a slim 2.5 game lead over the Denver Nuggets. The super-team as many describe them, once again seem unstoppable behind talent like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. Meanwhile, despite an MVP-calibre season from James Harden, the Rockets can only manage 5th in the conference for the time being and come into the match on a two-game losing streak. While they are almost guaranteed a playoff spot, they will not be satisfied with a middling finish. They will look to bounce back against the Warriors in what is sure to be an exciting match. Elsewhere, in Ligue 1, PSG host Nimes at the Parc des Princes. On the European and PGA Tour, the WGC- Mexico Championship continues at the Chapultepec Golf Course. In the NHL, the Dallas Stars host the Carolina Hurricanes at the American Airlines Arena. On the ATP tour, the Rio Open continues at the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by England Rugby; Six Nations