Preview: Wales v England

 

Stuart Lancaster's team have been knocked by the absence through injury of centres Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt and Kyle Eastmond, flyhalf Owen Farrell, the lock trio of Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes and Geoff Parling, loose forwards Tom Wood and Ben Morgan, and prop David Wilson.

 

The team features only nine survivors from the side that started the 26-17 victory over Australia at Twickenham in November, and just five from the combination thrashed 30-3 by Wales in Cardiff two years ago.

 

Wales may be far more settled and experienced, but their defence coach Shaun Edwards insisted that England's strength in depth meant they would always be a dangerous side against which to play.

 

"I looked at the team and thought about what team would they have picked," he said.

 

"They've got first choice fullback, right wing and left wing. The No.12 played against us last year and would have started. Tuilagi's missing so maybe there would have been a different change at 13.

 

"They've got first choice 10, nine, loosehead, hooker. The second rows probably would have had different ones.

 

"And for me (recalled flank) James Haskell is the best forward in England at the moment. Then there's (captain Chris) Robshaw and Billy (Vunipola), who lost his position to Ben (Morgan) at the end of the series but he was the first choice for the first two games.

 

"Any England team you come up against is going to be very, very strong, especially up front," he pointed out. 

 

Edwards also played down England coach Stuart Lancaster's decision to keep the retractable roof of the Millennium Stadium open, predicting more kicking with the forecast for a clear night.

 

"It's within the rules of the Six Nations and so we just get on with it and abide it. We'll just get on with playing the game," Edwards said.

 

"Any Wales v England game there's going to be lots of atmosphere. Obviously it does resound a litle bit more with the roof closed, there's no doubt about that, but it'll be a great atmosphere."

 

He added that the Welsh team were more "focused" this year than last.

 

"And we're healthy which is a massive factor. Last year we had 18 changes in the Six Nations, England had four and Ireland three and, no surprise, they came out on top.

 

"Hopefully come game time, we'll be on the money," he added.

 

 

For Wales: Threats throughout the backline, pace and power from the likes of Jamie Roberts and the two wings Alex Cuthbert and George North, skill and guile from Jonathan Davies and the deadly boot of Leigh Halfpenny. Captain Sam Warburton will win the ball on the deck, and the likes of Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones and Gethin Jenkins will get over the gainline.

 

For England: Mike Brown and Jonny May will be a threat if given space and there will be a big focus on George Ford's ability to take charge at flyhalf with Danny Cipriani on the bench. Billy Vunipola will feel that he has something to prove, as will players like James Haskell and Dan Coles who have a chance to show that they are not past it.

 

Head to head: Fullbacks Mike Brown and Leigh Halfpenny will play major roles in the territorial battle but the main attraction will be in midfield with the experience of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies up against the fresh pair of Jonathan Joseph and Luther Burrell. Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau will crash into each other all night whilst up front grizzled veterans Gethin Jenkins and Dan Cole should have another good tussle.

 

2014: England won 29-18 in 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

2008: Wales won 26-19, London

2007: England won 62-5, London

2007: Wales won 18-27, Cardiff

 

Prediction: England will play with something to prove which makes them dangerous, but this Welsh side should have too much class at home so we are backing them to win by seven points.

 

 

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb,8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Paul James, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Liam Williams.

 

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 James Haskell, 5 George Kruis, 4 David Attwood, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.

Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Nick Easter, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Billy Twelvetrees.

 

Date: Friday, Februray 6

Venue:  Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Kick-off: 20.05 (20.05 GMT)

Expected weather: Cold but dry, high of 8, 30 kph wind

Referee: Jérôme Garcès

Assistant referees: Romain Poite, Mathieu Raynal

TMO: Simon McDowell