Croft, who came off the bench in last weekend’s victory over Italy, makes his first start for England since recovering from a serious neck injury. The 27-year-old Leicester Tigers Academy product wins his 38th England cap.
Victory for England would secure the Red Rose the Six Nations Championship and a first Grand Slam in 10 years. A win for Wales by seven points or more could see them crowned champions and successfully defend their title.
Ben Youngs returns to the team at scrum-half and is joined in the England side by Tigers teammates Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Manu Tuilagi and brother Tom Youngs. Toby Flood is also among the replacements with Owen Farrell (Saracens) taking over at fly-half after recovering from injury.
There is one other change to the pack that started against Italy with Joe Marler (Harlequins) replacing Mako Vunipola (Saracens) at loose-head prop.
England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “It will be a great experience for our English team. Every single player, whether they are in the 23 or not this Saturday, has contributed to getting us in this position and they should be proud of that.
“The support of the country has been great throughout the tournament and I am sure they will be right behind us come 5 o'clock.”
England (v Wales, Saturday, 5pm, Millennium Stadium, live on BBC One)
15 Alex Goode (Saracens, 10 caps)
14 Chris Ashton (Saracens, 33 caps)
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)
12 Brad Barritt (Saracens, 15 caps)
11 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 15 caps)
10 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 15 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 9 caps)
2 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 39 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 8 caps)
5 Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers, 37 caps)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 16 caps)
8 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 46 caps)
17 David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 25 caps)
18 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 8 caps)
19 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
20 James Haskell (London Wasps, 49 caps)
21 Danny Care (Harlequins, 40 caps)
22 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers, 56 caps)
23 Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
