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Jones in, Warburton out for England clash

The talisman has been out of action since mid-March with a foot problem that saw him watch on from the sidelines as his side beat Italy in the last Six Nations match of the 2016 season.

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Wales forwards coach has praised the 30-year-old's progress and confirmed his availability for Sunday's important fixture, which will serve as preparation for their three-Test tour to New Zealand in June.

“Alun Wyn is good, he took a full part in training this morning,” said McBryde.

“Anybody who hasn’t had that much rugby stands a good chance of being involved against England.

“Alun Wyn has made great strides. 

"More time is going to benefit anybody obviously, but at some stage you are going to have to dip your toe in the water and see you react to games.

“He has followed the medical advice and there is no better professional than Alun Wyn Jones and if you couple that professional attitude with the medical team that we have got.

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“They have worked wonders with players in the past and it just goes to show when you follow protocols anything is possible.

While Wyn Jones might make his return to action against England, Wales skipper Sam Warburton will be sidelined for the Twickenham fixture as he is still nursing the shoulder injury he suffered on Judgement Day last month.

However, the specialist openside is expected to be fit for the first Test against the All Blacks in Auckland on June 11.

“This weekend will be too early for Sam, but he has taken part in parts in the rugby, he has done everything bar contact work,” said McBryde.

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“He is getting much stronger, feeling much better about himself and that is evident in the way he is carrying himself and contributing to the meetings.”

Prop Paul James is another injury concern for head coach Warren Gatland, as the front row will have a fitness test later this week on a calf problem.

However, Scarlets prop Samson Lee and centre Scott Williams have both recovered from concussion and hamstring problems respectively.

McBryde also said that they see the match against England as a stepping stone to playing the world champions in June.

“This game has been put in the diary for bigger things and I don’t mean that disrespectfully to England," he added.

“It is there for us to have a taste of that intensity and what better place to go.

“I know there are a number of changes in the England team, but the nucleus of the team that won the Grand Slam is there, they are riding on the crest of a wave, as is Eddie, and that is going to filter down to the rest of the squad.

“To go there at this time, you are not going to play in a much better atmosphere to prepare you in order to go on to New Zealand.”

@WalesRugby

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