Jones took a punch to the face during last weekends defeat to Italy and was forced to leave the field after his vision became impaired.

But head coach Gareth Jenkins is confident Jones will be ready to start against England as Wales look to end a run of four straight Championship defeats.

Team physio Mark Davies has also cleared prop Chris Horsman (ankle) and hooker Matthew Rees (calf), allowing Jenkins to name an unchanged 22-man squad.

Wales let a seven-point lead slip against the Azzurri last weekend as they fell to a 23-20 defeat, which leaves them facing a potential wooden spoon.

But Jenkins has kept faith with his men - and challenged them to repay that belief with a victory.

The message is not that we got everything right last week, but that we believe this group of players is capable of getting it right - and capable of beating England, said Jenkins.

They have a second chance as a group to prove what they can do and we are all backing them to do it.

Jones has not won any of the six Tests in which he has captained Wales and there had been suggestions he should be removed from the firing line.

The 29-year-old admitted the attention and criticism that has come his way over the last two months has been an eye-opener.

But Jenkins backed his captain to the hilt and insisted Jones is invaluable.

Stephen has recovered from the impact injury which forced him to leave the field against the Azzurri and we are confident he is fit to lead the team again against England, Jenkins said.

It is a major boost to the side that the captain will be able to take to the field.

Stephens contribution is invaluable, he has been inspirational and hugely encouraging to the squad as we lift ourselves this week and he is a huge leader.

The strengths that we see from Stephen inside the camp may not be obvious to everyone on the outside, but he brings an emotional intensity and positive input to his leadership role that makes him invaluable to this team.

Wales team:

K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets, capt), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), C Horsman (Worcester), I Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), A-W Jones (Ospreys), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys).

Replacements: TR Thomas (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Phillips (Cardiff Blues), G Thomas (Toulouse).