Wales rookie braced for 'physical battle' against England
SPOTLIGHT: Wales flanker Josh Macleod believes his struggling side’s Six Nations opener away to in-form England on Saturday could provide the intense physical encounter they need to spring a surprise.
England go into the game as overwhelming favourites, given they are on a run of 11 straight wins – a sequence that includes a record 68-14 thrashing of Wales in Cardiff in March last year.
By contrast, Wales have lost 21 of their last 23 Tests, with the only two wins coming against Japan, and are beset by domestic problems amid a bitter row over plans by the Welsh Rugby Union to reduce the number of the nation’s professional clubs from four to three.
Macleod, however, is adamant Wales will not back down in what promises to be the 29-year-old Scarlets flanker’s Six Nations debut should he be included in coach Steve Tandy’s team, due to be announced on Thursday.
“I enjoy the physical battle, the confrontation,” said Macleod on Wednesday. “It’s the fight that often pulls you out of situations where you’re on the back foot.
“There wasn’t much difference between the two sides [Northampton beat Scarlets 43-28] when we played in the Champions Cup recently.
“There is always that physical edge in Anglo-Welsh matches.
“We are there, we’ll look after our own house, and whatever they throw at us, we will be ready.”
Macleod was denied a Six Nations debut against Scotland in 2021 after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in training, shortly after his inclusion in the starting team was announced to the squad.
He then had to wait until the 2022 Nations Series clash against Georgia to win the first of his Test caps, although an appearance in the Six Nations has so far remained elusive.
“If it [selection] came, it would be an unbelievable honour, and Saturday would be a pretty special occasion for me personally,” said Macleod.
“I’ve no intentions of wrapping myself up in cotton wool [this week]. Obviously, you don’t know what’s coming on the weekend, so you prepare as normal.”
Macleod, asked how Wales might contain England, replied: “We’ve got systems in place to deal with certain aspects of the game, but there’s a hell of a load of talent in our team as well.
“Let’s not shy away from that. We’ve got a pack that are willing to fight for each other. Fight for every inch.”
