Preview: England v Wales
Old people would have seen this a clash between toffs and the working class.
But now, in the democracy of cash, it is a match between neighbours, an ancient one in rugby terms and so one with its own traditions and prejudices.
Wales, whose prince is English, would love to beat England above all others, and they did so last time they met and that at Twickenham.
That beating booted England out of their own World Cup and to many this match is seen as an important part of England's rehab process.
Same opponents, same venue but new coach, new captain and perhaps greater determination.
England's moneyed controllers would love the victory, snuggling in their relief more comfortably into their club chairs with whiskey that never tasted so refined.
The two countries first met at Blackheath in 1881 – when Wales formed its union, the last of the Four Home Unions to do so.
They have met 127 times altogether and there is only a victory difference between them, 58-57 to England with 12 draws.
At Twickenham, since 1910, England is more comfortably ahead. Of 50 matches they have won 29 to Wales's 14 with seven draws. But then Wales have won two of the last three matches at Twickenham.
Venues seem to mean less to the peripatetic players of the modern era.
The anthems, always sung with great gusto, will have a special ardour for both sides, but more so for the English – who will fervently want God to save not only their queen but their whole kingdom. There will be the Welsh – heads up, mouths open wide for the passionate Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, Land of My Fathers who were men of mine and mill.
They are two of the teams that sing their anthem best, as do their crowds. And there will be many men of the valleys who will travel in excitement along the M4 to join in and try their best to have Cwm Honda drown out Swing Low. It is a match for hymns.
It is a great rugby occasion, even as a stand-alone match.
England have an unchanged starting XV and so do Wales. So they are two settled sides untroubled by injuries, though their benches have changed.
Players to Watch:
For England: You will want to watch the creative, brave fullback Mike Brown and fullback is the main attacking thrust of modern backlines. There are the scoring wings Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell. Amongst the forwards it is worth watching Billy Vunipola and young Maro Itoje of England.
For Wales: The Welsh No.15 Liam Williams is just as dangerous with ball in hand as his rival. And then they have BIG wings Alex Cuthbert and above all George North. There are also the aggressive centres, Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts. Dan Biggar – apart from his kicking routine – is a great player who cane play and let play, a brave and skilful player. And his halfback partner is a surprise package. Gareth Davies can suddenly set a match alight with something extraordinary. Opponents cannot watch him too carefully. Amongst the forwards it is worth watching Alun Wyn-Jones and Taulupe Faletau.
Head to Head: There are potential matches up all over the place, from fullback to front row. There is the head-on clash in the centres that could be fascinating – four aggressive, skilled players – Jonathan Joseph and Owen Farrell of England and Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts of Wales. The centres are the really tough face-offs in a rugby match – man to man in obvious confrontation with the possibility of big results for the victor. Who would you put your money on? Mine would be on the Welsh duo. There is also the clash of the two No.8s – Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau, and not because of their Tongan origins. Vunipola has been described as the best No.8 in the world, which may be an exaggeration, given his one-dimensional game, but the first line of the English gameplan seems to be Give the ball to Billy. Faletau is not as bulky in his direct aggression but is certainly strong on his feet and may well have the better all-round game. The tussle between the two sets of locks, especially in the line-outs could be significant – George Kruis and athletic Maro Itoje against Alun Wyn-Jones and reliable Bradley Davies. And their back-ups are really good – Courtney Lawes and tall Luke Charteris. 
Halfbacks can change matches and it is especially the flyhalf who can guide his side to victory and here one would back versatile Dan Biggar, the bigger personality of the two. This match really is a fascinating prospect. It could just be the highlight of Six Nations 2016.
Recent results:
2015: Wales won 28-25, London (World Cup pool match)
2015: England won 21-16, Cardiff
2014: England won 29-18, London
2013: Wales won 30-3, Cardiff
2012: Wales won 19-12, London
2011: Wales won 19-9, Cardiff
2011: England won 23-19, London
2011: England won 26-19, Cardiff
2010: England won 30-17, London
2009: Wales won 23-15, Cardiff
Results against Common Opponents in 2016 Six Nations
Against Ireland: England won 21-10 at Twickenham; Wales drew 16-all in Dublin
Against Scotland: England won 15-9 in Edinburgh; Wales won 27-23 in Cardiff.
Prediction: England will start with great passion and determination, which are in any case Welsh characteristics. That could mean a rousing start, the winner the better man left standing. Whoever wins will not be a surprise winner but there is just a thought that it could be Wales by three points or so.
Teams:
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 James Haskell, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Kruis, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (captain), 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Danny Care, 22 Manu Tuilagi, 23 Elliot Daly.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Rob Evans.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Anscombe.
Expected weather: No rain but not beach weather either – partly cloudy with a high of 12°C, dropping to -1°C
By Paul Dobson
@rugby365com
