Rugby World Cup 2015: Hallam Amos retains starting spot as Wales make nine changes for England clash

Hallam Amos has been retained by Warren Gatland in Wales's starting XV to contest their potentially decisive World Cup Pool A encounter against England at Twickenham. The Newport Gwent Dragons wing, who won his fourth cap in the 54-9 rout of minnows Uruguay at the weekend, is selected ahead of Alex Cuthbert. George North returns to action having been rested for the opener in Cardiff.

Experienced centre Jamie Roberts is also recalled and will no doubt relish what is sure to be a hugely physical battle against the trio of Sam Burgess, Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt after Stuart Lancaster elected to significantly alter England's midfield dynamic in the absence of Jonathan Joseph. Scott Williams partners him in midfield after hat-trick hero Cory Allen was ruled out of the tournament with a torn hamstring.

In addition to losing the services of Allen, head coach Warren Gatland has been besieged by injury woes since preparations for the tournament began earlier in the summer. As well as losing key backs Jonathan Davies, Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny before the World Cup even got under way, Dan Lydiate suffered a blow to the head against Uruguay and front-row forwards Aaron Jarvis, Paul James and Sampson Lee all sustained knocks, along with Liam Williams.

The latter is fit enough to start at full-back, however, with prop Lee listed among the replacements and Lydiate in at blindside flanker ahead of Justin Tipuric. Taulupe Faletau is back at number eight as Ospreys' James King makes way and Scott Baldwin remains at hooker Tomas Francis and Gethin Jenkins, playing in his fourth World Cup, are the starting props, while Bradley Davies and Alun Wyn Jones pack down in the second row instead of Jake Ball and Luke Charteris. Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar are the chosen half-back pairing, backed up by Lloyd Williams and Rhys Priestland. There is no place in the matchday squad for veteran number nine Mike Phillips, called up to replace Webb.

"Saturday is a huge occasion for both teams and for the tournament and we are really looking forward to it," Gatland said after the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) officially announced his latest selection. "Both sides kicked their tournament off with a bonus point win but we know we will need to step up at Twickenham on Saturday."

Elsewhere in the Welsh camp, World Rugby are reportedly seeking further information over claims that tournament rules may have been breached after Nicky Smith, Rob Evans, Rhys Patchell, Jordan Williams, Dan Baker, Kristian Dacey, Dan Fish and Aled Summerhill, none of whom were included in Gatland's initial 31-man squad, all allegedly took part in training on Wednesday (23 September).

Scrum-half Webb has also been ruled for up to eight months after undergoing surgery on the nasty foot injury sustained during the 23-19 warm-up win over Wales earlier in September. In a statement, his club Ospreys said: "Rhys Webb has been ruled out of action until well into 2016 after undergoing surgery on his foot. The scrum-half sustained what has been described as a significant injury during Wales's final Rugby World Cup warm-up match earlier this month and is now back with the Ospreys for his recovery and rehabilitation."

Wales XV v England: Liam Williams (Scarlets); North (Northampton); S Williams (Scarlets); Roberts (Harlequins); Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); Biggar (Ospreys); G Davies (Scarlets); Jenkins (Cardiff Blues); Baldwin (Ospreys); Francis (Exeter); B Davies (Wasps); Jones (Ospreys); Lydiate (Ospreys); Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt); Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets); Jarvis (Ospreys); Lee (Scarlets); Charteris (Racing 92); Tipuric (Ospreys); Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues); Priestland (Bath); Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues).