ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Thursday Feb 5, 2015

Wales vs England - Preview to the big Six Nations opener

The drama is building for the opening match of the Six Nations, which perhaps more significantly, is also the first match of top tier Test rugby in this, the year of the Rugby World Cup. England will be out to avenge their last visit to Cardiff, a loss back in 2013.

England’s last trip to Millennium Stadium, in which Wales achieved a record win of 30-3, is central in the thinking and preparation of both teams, but is also totally irrelevant. “We learned a lot that night, about pressure,” said coach Graham Rowntree earlier this week. “The guys that weren’t there that night have learned a lot from the guys who were there.”

Top Tip: England to beat Wales was 7/4 Now 8/1 – Enhanced odds on opener with Ladbrokes

The set-piece, breakdown, discipline and goal-kicking will be important as always but let’s take a quick look at three factors unique to this crunch clash between the old foes.

Key Factor #1 – The Opening 20

With the exception of a Jonny May try against the All Blacks, England have been slow to start in their November internationals. Whether it’s by conceding a penalty and/or points (Samoa), or blowing a try scoring opportunity (Australia and South Africa) the momentum of the opening 20 minutes has not been with England in their last four matches.

Keep in mind that England are away from home and should they struggle to get off to a good start, Wales at home with Millennium Stadium behind them will prove an almighty challenge.

Key Factor #2 – Injuries

England’s injury list has ballooned in recent weeks with Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Morgan, Courtney Lawes, and others. Warren Gatland played down the importance of it stated, “You don’t allow that [to affect preparations]. They’ve got a huge amount of depth… and a lot of quality players to come in too”.

Key Factor #3 – Welsh Experience in the Centres

Wales are fielding an experienced centre pairing of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies. With 107 caps between them (plus 6 combined Lions caps). In sharp contrast, England’s Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph bring just 13 caps to the table.

TEAMS:
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau.Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Mike Phillips, Rhys Priestland, Liam Williams.

England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Dave Attwood, George Kruis, James Haskell, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Nick Easter, Tom Croft, Richard Wigglesworth, Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees.

KICK-OFF: Friday, 20.05 (local)
LAST THREE ENCOUNTERS: England 29 Wales 18, March 2014,  Wales 30 England 3, March 2013, England 12 Wales 19, February 2012

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments




Related Articles

  • 471 WEEKS AGO

    Courtney Lawes lays into another unsuspecting...

  • 471 WEEKS AGO

    England and France's Twickenham thriller...

  • 471 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland thump Scotland to set up second Championship...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 13 HOURS AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All