Prop Adam Jones and the versatile James Hook were also ruled out through injury while Gatland opted not to risk captain Matthew Rees, loosehead Gethin Jenkins and winger Leigh Halfpenny in the build-up to the World Cup.

But those absences aside, it is the strongest XV Gatland could have picked as they look to avenge their 26-19 defeat to England in the 2011 RBS 6 Nations.

The centre pairing of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies means there’s no room for Gavin Henson in the squad while Dragons tyro Toby Faletau is given another chance to impress as he packs down at No.8 alongside Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton.

And Gatland made it crystal clear to those starting at Twickenham that they are in the box seat for selection to New Zealand. 

He said: “We have made changes but we have some pretty established combinations coming back with Jamie Roberts returning to the midfield and Alun Wyn and Bradley in the second row.

“These are the men in possession of the jersey at the moment and it is now up to them to hold on to it and they will only do that with a performance at Twickenham at the weekend.

“The stakes are high for individuals, but as a team it is also important for us to create some momentum as we head for the World Cup in New Zealand.”

15. Rhys Priestland – Scarlets

14. George North – Scarlets

13. Jonathan Davies - Scarlets

12. Jamie Roberts – Blues

11. Shane Williams – Ospreys

10. Stephen Jones – Scarlets

9. Mike Phillips – Bayonne

1. Paul James – Ospreys

2. Huw Bennett – Ospreys

3. Craig Mitchell - Exeter

4. Bradley Davies – Blues

5. Alun Wyn Jones – Ospreys

6. Dan Lydiate – Dragons

7. Sam Warburton – Blues

8. Toby Faletau - Dragons

Replacements

16. Lloyd Burns – Dragons

17. Ryan Bevington – Ospreys

18. Luke Charteris – Dragons

19. Ryan Jones - Ospreys

20. Tavis Knoyle – Scarlets

21. Scott Williams – Scarlets

22. Morgan Stoddart – Scarlets