| Venue: Twickenham Stadium Date: Saturday, 10 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT |
| Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru; dwell textual content on BBC Sport web site and app; watch on ITV1 & S4C |
It will likely be extra than simply bragging rights at stake when England and Wales renew their long-standing rivalry at Twickenham within the Six Nations on Saturday.
The hosts will need to proceed constructing momentum as they attempt to whip up a frenzy on their return to Twickenham, whereas Wales want to kick-start their marketing campaign after defeat by Scotland.
Steve Borthwick’s dwelling aspect are unchanged from their opening win over Italy, however the guests make seven changes for their brief journey to a floor the place latest historical past has not been form to them.
Fortress Twickenham
England have made no secret of an ambition to fortify their London base, however they should shortly erase the bitter reminiscence of the World Cup warm-up defeat by Fiji of their final dwelling recreation.
That first ever loss to the Pacific Islanders got here 5 months after England’s record home defeat at the hands of Antoine Dupont’s France.
Under the management of latest captain Jamie George and backed by the vociferous Twickenham crowd, that is an England aspect intent on setting the report straight.
Hooker George needs to entertain and “put smiles on faces” among the many England fanbase. Victory in Rome confirmed glimpses of larger attacking endeavour regardless of England being outscored 3-2 in tries by the Azzurri.
Wales arrive at Twickenham with out a victory of their final seven visits.
Wins in 2008 and 2012 paved the best way to Grand Slams, earlier than they dumped the hosts out of their very own World Cup in 2015, however these are the exceptions relatively than the rule.
Head coach Warren Gatland said he has always “loved going to” Twickenham in an try and ease the strain on his younger gamers, however they should banish ideas of their nightmare begin in opposition to the Scots.
Wales trailed 27-0 earlier than launching a fightback to cut back the deficit to a single level in Cardiff, however an equally sluggish begin in a hostile English atmosphere may go away them with an insurmountable activity.
Where may the sport be received?
England will proceed to implement their new blitz defence to attempt to thwart the Wales assault, however that would current the guests with alternatives within the huge channels.
Lock Ollie Chessum was out of sync together with his team-mates and caught out for each of Italy’s first-half tries, however the hosts could have labored on their cohesion with defence coach Felix Jones all week so anticipate a extra polished set-up.
However, wing Rio Dyer starred in Wales’ restoration final weekend and if Gatland’s gamers can negate England’s rush defence in midfield, they may exploit the flanks.
Elsewhere, it’s a case of tried and examined in opposition to a relative newcomer trying to create his personal legacy at fly-half.
The skilled George Ford will acquire his 93rd cap for England, whereas reverse quantity Ioan Lloyd will win solely his fourth in his first begin for Wales.
Ford has promised extra attacking impetus for England.
From a Wales standpoint, with the injured and inexperienced Sam Costelow unable to retain his spot from the Scotland recreation, Lloyd may stake a declare to maintain the well-known quantity 10 purple jersey for the rest of the event, six days on from the sport losing Barry John, one of many best to ever put on it.
Lloyd, a 22-year-old versatile again, led the Welsh restoration final week together with his motion and distribution and may unleash the facility of out of doors centre George North, getting back from harm to make his fiftieth Six Nations look.
Forward supremacy
England’s pack have been relentless in carrying exhausting and puncturing holes within the Italian defence.
Debutant Ethan Roots stood out together with his athleticism and capability to manoeuvre the royal blue shirts, whereas Maro Itoje stamped his authority on the breakdown and within the line-out and Chandler Cunningham-Smith got here off the bench to impose himself within the unfastened.
Wales’ forwards capitulated within the first half final weekend earlier than fronting up within the second, led by Aaron Wainwright, Alex Mann and younger captain Dafydd Jenkins.
Wainwright and Mann each powered over from shut vary, whereas 21-year-old Exeter lock Jenkins, who will take a look at his line-out abilities in opposition to the formidable Itoje, says Twickenham is the “greatest place to win” as a Welshman.
That sentiment was echoed by prop Gareth Thomas, who advised BBC Radio 5 Live: “Everyone in Wales would like to play England. It’s the most important recreation within the 12 months for us.”
Expect loads of grit and aggression within the first set-piece.
