Wales captain Sam Warburton has recovered from a thigh injury and will return to lead his team’s Triple Crown Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham.

Warburton suffered an injury in Wales’ tournament-opening win over Ireland and was forced to miss the subsequent defeat of Scotland in Cardiff.

However the rampaging Cardiff flanker has now returned to fitness and will spearhead Welsh attempts to wrap up the Triple Crown on English soil this weekend.

Warburton was one of three changes announced by coach Warren Gatland for the match.

Ospreys second row Alun Wyn Jones returns from a toe injury in place of Ryan Jones, who is relegated to the bench.

“A fit again Alun Wyn Jones is selected based on his Rugby World Cup form and his experience as an international lock,” Gatland said.

“He gave us a selection dilemma but it has been a great problem to have and, whilst Ryan Jones is particularly unlucky to miss out on this occasion, this is just that kind of competition for places we have been striving for.”

The final change sees Scarlets hooker Ken Owens make his first Test start after Huw Bennett suffered a calf injury.

Wales

Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), George North (Scarlets); Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Michael Phillips (Bayonne); Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues/capt), Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)

Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Scott Williams (Scarlets)