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| Wales v England - a wonderful opportunity for players on both sides to clean their studs. |
Talk about starting with a bang. The Six Nations is stuffed full to bursting with classic fixtures, but there's no doubting that some carry just that little bit more weight than the others - and Wales v England, in Cardiff, is the fattest of the lot. The passion that borders on hatred, the history, the humiliations, the classics - both nations have felt the sheer volume of expectation that sits on this match. As such, you might expect it to be one of the grand finale of the tournament - instead, we're plunging straight into the deep end with a Friday night fixture in front of a hostile crowd in one of the world's best stadiums...and with both sides meeting the World Cup group stage in just 7 months time, it really is sink or swim.
The build up has involved the traditional over-dramatization from the press and lots of familiar stories - debates over the roof will be open or closed (England have had their request that the roof is open granted), questions over the temperaments of various players in such an intense atmosphere (step forward Mr Hartley) and the usual pre-match goading from Warren Gatland. This year, in addition to 'daring' England to play them with the roof closed, the kiwi also named his team first thing on Monday, two days ahead of schedule, as if to say, "That's my team, deal with it" before putting his feet up and lighting a cigar.
But Mr Gatland has every reason to be the more content of the head coaches going into this game. Aside from Ken Owens, who is arguably second choice anyway, Wales have been blessed with an almost completely clean bill of health and Gatland's job of selecting a side has been made that much easier as the team almost picks itself. It is a side crammed with world-class talent and experienced combinations - Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies are the new D'Arcy and O'Driscoll, and that back row unit is probably the most settled in the northern hemisphere...and arguably the best. Familiarity breeds confidence, and there are plenty of reasons for the Welsh to be confident - in their last game they finally broke their southern hemisphere duck with a fine win against South Africa and, although the Welsh regions have not impressed in Europe, individual star players have, with Jamie Roberts and George North looking particularly dangerous.
And the third reason to be confident is the fact that their opponents, England, are in the middle of a bit of an injury crisis, with no fewer than 9 front line players down and out. It's decimated the second row - previously one England's strongest weapons to a pairing of the 4th and 6th choice players, forced a tighthead back to start after 4 weeks out injured, caused the recall of a maverick and a near-retiree after years of international wilderness and enforced yet another untested centre combination to fill the 12 and 13 shirts. And yet, there can be no excuses. In all honesty, the backline is what many would classify as England's most exciting and in-form selection at the moment, with only Manu Tuilagi for Luther Burrell a widely agreed substitution, if the Leicester man was fit. The front row is vastly experienced and the back row looks extremely well balanced - it is only at lock where the visitors look a bit light. But do not get fooled by the press into thinking that this is a second string side, with a foregone conclusion; this is a talented England side with a lot to play for...and they won't mind being written off.
Because, although it is sink or swim for some of the new faces, every now and again a hero is forged in the fires of the Millennium Stadium - and they don't necessarily have to be wearing red.
Wales Team News
Wales winger George North returns to the starting XV for the Six Nations opener against England. Richard Hibbard is back at hooker in the only other change to the side that beat South Africa in November.
Starting Line up: 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Alex Cuthbert, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-George North, 10-Dan Biggar, 9-Rhys Webb; 1-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Richard Hibbard, 3-Samson Lee, 4-Jake Ball, 5-Alun-Wyn Jones, 6-Dan Lydiate, 7-Sam Warburton, 8-Taulupe Faletau
Key Player
Dan Biggar. In a game where the blood is going to be up and intensity through the (imaginary) roof, it is so important for Wales to keep their cool. They have a first choice side out and will fancy their chances at the breakdown and in the contact area, and so should get the ball required to make chances - but it might not happen all at once against a fired up English side. Biggar has distinguished himself so far by appearing unflappable under pressure and he must continue that on Friday night - that means playing intelligently and kicking for territory when necessary, and not feeling like he has force an attack every time he is given the ball. If he plays clinically, Wales will win.
England Team News
England coach Stuart Lancaster, who has battled a lengthy injury list in his squad, has selected Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph to play as centres. Prop Dan Cole returns after nearly a year out, while Danny Cipriani, Tom Croft and Nick Easter are recalled to the bench.
Starting Line-up: 15-Mike Brown, 14-Anthony Watson, 13-Jonathan Joseph, 12-Luther Burrell, 11-Jonny May, 10-George Ford, 9-Ben Youngs-; 1-Joe Marler, 2-Dylan Hartley, 3-Dan Cole, 4-Dave Attwood, 5-George Kruis, 6-James Haskell, 7-Chris Robshaw (captain), 8-Billy Vunipola
Subs: 16-Tom Youngs, 17-Mako Vunipola, 18-Kieran Brookes, 19-Tom Croft, 20-Nick Easter, 21-Richard Wigglesworth, 22-Danny Cipriani, 23-Billy Twelvetrees
Key Player
Dan Cole. The Leicester tighthead was looking very impressive on his return from 10 months out with a neck injury, but then a niggling foot problem has kept him out for the last month. No doubt Lancaster - and Cole for that matter - would have preferred to have eased his way back into things, but such is life that he now starts on the coalface for his country. But Cole is an exceptional scrummager and he will be fresh - he may be targeted, but he has the capacity to handle it. And he will know, better than anyone, that if he can get the upper hand on Gethin Jenkins and get the Welsh set piece going backwards, not only will it give his side a massive platform but it will also quieten down the Welsh fans, which is just as important.
Key Battle
Jamie Roberts v Luther Burrell. With the Welsh gameplan relying heavily on Roberts crashing over the gainline, it goes without saying that Burrell is a crucial figure in the English defence. Unfortunately, for the visitors, these two met a fortnight ago whereupon Burrell gave his best impression of a turnstile as Roberts smashed through Northampton's defence time and time again, picking up a man of the match award for his club, Racing Metro. The good doctor may look like Desperate Dan but there is nothing funny about his ability to raise his game for the crunch contests - he will be a handful on Friday night and Burrell simply has to stop him at source, or it will be a long night for his side. If he presses and hits aggressively, however, the Welsh momentum can be stopped at source - and as we saw in last year's contest, the men in red don't always have a Plan B when Plan A fails...
Prediction
It doesn't get much bigger than this. Wade through all the pre-match posturing, arguments over a roof, suggestions of fear of a particular ground, and you still boil down to what is - in my view - the most intensely contested international match in rugby. Wales may be favourites - and rightly so - but they know not to underestimate England. They face a side that has plenty to prove and no shortage of talent, speed and power - it is a side that the press have thrown onto the ropes but Gatland's men will know that they could still pack one hell of a punch. Also, don't forget the bench - perhaps the one area where in my view England have a clear upper hand. The front row replacements of Vunipola, Youngs and Brookes are probably three of the most aggressive carriers around and Croft, Easter and Cipriani can all bring something different and dangerous to a tiring defence. That being said, this Welsh side just has so much experience and quality throughout it, it is hard to see them failing to pick up a win against their bitterest of rivals - especially when roared on by a mildly enthusiastic crowd. Wales by 6.
@RuckedOver
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