First up, I need to apologise - for probably the first time ever, this preview is early...so early, in fact, that the teams haven't been announced yet. Which makes a preview pretty difficult. The reason for my enthusiasm is because I'll be frequenting Oktoberfest from tonight, and I don't think we'll be hearing much from me over a couple of days. My primary concern, of course, is trying to find somewhere that will actually show the game when I am about 7 steins down.
But I'll do my best - and to be fair, this match needs little introduction. It's been done to death ever since that bonkers pool selection almost three years ago. But here we are, on the cusp of watching one of the game's most bitter rivalries unfurl on the world's biggest stage. It simply doesn't get bigger than this - nor any harder to call, to be honest.
The Welsh injury problems are well documented, and rightly so - after losing their Lions centre, Jonathan Davies, months ago, they've then been subjected to the sight of star men Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb being denied the chance to play in the tournament in their final World Cup warm-up game. And, following that, there's now been a catalogue of niggles and nasties to both front line and support players, meaning that - contrary to what he's used to - Warren Gatland probably isn't completely sure what his best side his. But those who have written Wales off need to be slapped, hard, with an old fish. This is a side that boasts Lions of the quality of Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts, George North...in fact, just look at the teamsheet of the third Lion's test - most of them are still in this Welsh side. And, after being written off by much of the global press, they will have no problem getting fired up for this one.
And they'll go into it, rightly, with a touch of optimism, too. England have belatedly been accursed by the injury bug too, with star centre Jonathan Joseph, who terrorised the Welsh in Cardiff, allegedly being ruled out by a chest injury - with his spot allegedly being taken by Sam Burgess, a man with only 112 minutes of international experience having played most of his union at centre. Wales will smell an opportunity, an area to exploit. And that won't be the only change, according to the rumours, with Owen Farrell set to usurp George Ford in the 10 shirt as Stuart Lancaster looks to tighten up his side in the face of their biggest test, under the most-pressurised environment. Farrell, Burgess and Barritt all give you physicality, commitment and determination - but at what cost to creativity, especially with the pace and talent out wide? But having the likes of Ford to come off the bench against a tiring defence brings with it a different opportunity, and England can be confident that their bench looks better place to make an impact than Wales'.
The teams may be unknown and their form - after England's stuttering win over an impressive Fiji and a second string Welsh side's win over amateur Uruguay - maybe undefined. But we do know one thing - whoever wins this takes a major step towards qualification out of the Pool of Death.
As if England v Wales needed to get any bigger.
England Team News
If rumour is to be believed, then Lancaster has been forced into making two changes, with Billy Vunipola replacing Ben Morgan, who took a knock to the knee, and Sam Burgess replacing the injured Jonathan Joseph, with one further tactical change seeing Owen Farrell take over from George Ford at 10.
Likely starting line-up: Brown, Watson, Barritt, Burgess, May, Farrell, B Youngs, Marler, T Youngs, Cole, Parling, Lawes, Wood, Robshaw (c), B Vunipola.
Subs: Webber, M Vunipola, Brookes, Launchbury, Haskell, Wigglesworth, Ford, Nowell.
Key player
Owen Farrell. If the rumours are true and Farrell is to start, then this is a massive shout by Lancaster. In fairness to the Saracens 10, the perception of him offering no attacking threat is massively outdated - his decision making and variation have improved almost beyond recognition over the last 12 months. But, as he showed against Ireland in the warm up game as he butchered a 3-min overlap, he is still prone to the occasional brain-implosion. With Joseph out injured and a midfield of Burgess and Barritt set to start, Lancaster is clearly expecting a tight, physical encounter and, to that extent, the discipline, physicality and goal-kicking prowess of Farrell makes perfect sense. But this game will also be about taking opportunities - and so when the chances present themselves, Farrell has to make sure his decision is spot on...as Ford's would be.
Wales Team News
Warren Gatland has big decisions to make in regards to his back three - assuming that Liam Williams is cleared to play, expect to see Hallem Amos get the nod on the wing ahead of the out-of-form Alex Cuthbert. He'll also be tempted to start with the energy of Justin Tipuric ahead of Dan Lydiate, but I suspect he'll prefer the Ospreys man's dynamism off the bench.
Likely starting line-up: L Williams, North, S Williams, Roberts, Amos, Biggar, G Davies, Jenkins, Owens, Lee, B Davies, A W Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau.
Subs: Baldwin, James, Francis, Ball, Tipuric, Phillips, Priestland, Cuthbert.
Key Player
Alun Wyn Jones. When you look at how this English team can be beaten, I've got little doubt that most Welsh fans will cast their minds back to THAT game in Cardiff in 2013. That may be a couple of years ago, but the template still remains - dominate the collisions against England, and they don't have too many ideas. Fiji demonstrated that for a 60 minute period last Friday. If Wales are to win at Twickenham, they will need to smash England from the off and stun them with the levels of physicality and aggression, forcing them on to the back foot. A full blooded display by Alun Wyn Jones would be at the heart of that...just as it was in 2013.
Key Battle
Sam Burgess v Jamie Roberts. Yikes. Being between these two at the first hit-up would be like being stuck between Boris Johnson and his lunch - not a place you want to be. If various media's sources are correct and Burgess is to be selected at 12, then expect some titanic collisions between these two. Roberts clearly has the experience advantage over the league convert, but I genuinely believe that Burgess will offer something extra with the ball in terms of his offloading ability - however, it's in defence where he'll really be tested. He simply cannot afford to go high on Roberts when the Welshman is on full charge but he also must avoid the temptation to rush up out the line and meet him. Wales will be watching for this and any dog leg will be ruthlessly exploited by the likes of Scott Williams or George North.
Prediction
As an Englishman, I've lost sleep over this game. Truth be told, the scrum problems of late, the lethargy of the breakdown and Lancaster's apparent decision to replace a potentially exciting 10, 12, 13 axis with a brick wall has had me leaning towards a Welsh win. But then I take a step back and realise that, over the last 12 months, England have been the better side and - truth be told - Wales haven't hit their heights for a while now either. There's no doubt that this will be pant-wettingly tight, but my gut feeling now is that an improved display from a fired up pack and Farrell's accuracy from the tee should see the hosts squeak home by the narrowest of margins. England by 2.
Alun Wyn Jones. When you look at how this English team can be beaten, I've got little doubt that most Welsh fans will cast their minds back to THAT game in Cardiff in 2013. That may be a couple of years ago, but the template still remains - dominate the collisions against England, and they don't have too many ideas. Fiji demonstrated that for a 60 minute period last Friday. If Wales are to win at Twickenham, they will need to smash England from the off and stun them with the levels of physicality and aggression, forcing them on to the back foot. A full blooded display by Alun Wyn Jones would be at the heart of that...just as it was in 2013.
Key Battle
Sam Burgess v Jamie Roberts. Yikes. Being between these two at the first hit-up would be like being stuck between Boris Johnson and his lunch - not a place you want to be. If various media's sources are correct and Burgess is to be selected at 12, then expect some titanic collisions between these two. Roberts clearly has the experience advantage over the league convert, but I genuinely believe that Burgess will offer something extra with the ball in terms of his offloading ability - however, it's in defence where he'll really be tested. He simply cannot afford to go high on Roberts when the Welshman is on full charge but he also must avoid the temptation to rush up out the line and meet him. Wales will be watching for this and any dog leg will be ruthlessly exploited by the likes of Scott Williams or George North.
Prediction
As an Englishman, I've lost sleep over this game. Truth be told, the scrum problems of late, the lethargy of the breakdown and Lancaster's apparent decision to replace a potentially exciting 10, 12, 13 axis with a brick wall has had me leaning towards a Welsh win. But then I take a step back and realise that, over the last 12 months, England have been the better side and - truth be told - Wales haven't hit their heights for a while now either. There's no doubt that this will be pant-wettingly tight, but my gut feeling now is that an improved display from a fired up pack and Farrell's accuracy from the tee should see the hosts squeak home by the narrowest of margins. England by 2.
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