Steve Borthwick has announced a daring re-shuffle for England’s trip to Cardiff, with Marcus Smith reinstated at full-back in a squad featuring three specialist No 10s.
Fin Smith will start at fly-half for the tournament finale, with George Ford named on the bench for the first time since the autumn series.
With Ollie Lawrence ruled out with a ruptured Achilles, Borthwick has made four personnel changes to the starting XV that beat Italy.
Sale wing Roebuck will make a first start for his country, replacing Ollie Sleightholme, following a series of bench appearances last year. He has been in prolific form for his club and will provide England with another aerial asset at the Principality Stadium.
Elliot Daly will start on the other wing, with Tommy Freeman moved into the centres – a ploy that has been in the pipeline for some time.
The Northampton flier will wear No 13, alongside his Saints team-mate Fraser Dingwall, aiming to complete a Grand Slam of tries in this championship, having already struck against Ireland, France, Scotland and Italy.
Steve Borthwick has announced a daring back-line reshuffle as England face Wales
Tom Roebuck is set to make his first England start with Tommy Freeman switching to midfield
Marcus Smith returns to the starting XV at full back after dropping to the bench against Italy
Ben Curry has replaced Tom Willis in the back-row to enhance England’s breakdown threats, while Luke Cowan-Dickie has replaced Jamie George at hooker following his century appearance.
Young back-row forward Henry Pollock is the other standout inclusion on England’s bench, with the 20-year-old in line to make his Test debut after winning the Junior World Cup last year.
‘We’re excited to face Wales at the Principality Stadium this weekend, one of the most iconic venues in rugby,’ said Borthwick.
‘The atmosphere will be electric, and we know we’ll need to be at our very best to get the result we’re aiming for.’
England team to face Wales: 15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 43 caps), 14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 3 caps), 13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 19 caps), 12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), 11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 72 caps), 10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 10 caps), 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 22 caps), 1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 70 caps) – vice-captain, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 48 caps), 3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 49 caps), 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 92 caps) – captain, 5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 27 caps), 6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 60 caps), 7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 10 caps), 8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 41 caps)
Replacements: 16. Jamie George (Saracens, 100 caps) – vice-captain, 17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 10 caps), 18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 11 caps), 19. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 14 caps), 20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, uncapped), 21. Tom Willis (Saracens, 5 caps), 22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps), 23. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 98 caps)
