Wales’s opening performances in the Six Nations have been enough to produce hard-earned victories away to the weakest two sides in the tournament, France and Italy, but no more. Warren Gatland believes it could work to their advantage against England in Cardiff on Saturday because their opponents’ analysis will be of little practical use.
“I do not think anyone knows where we are except for us, which is a nice place to be in,” Gatland said after announcing two changes from the side who started the tournament in Paris, with Gareth Davies taking cover from the injured Tomos Williams at scrum-half and Cory Hill partnering Alun Wyn Jones in the second row as Wales look to improve their lineout.
The Breakdown | Wing commanders: why Six Nations speedsters are rolling back the years
“We were not great in the first half against France and maybe it was not the right thing to make 10 changes for the next game against Italy. We did not play brilliantly in Rome but were never in any danger of losing. England do not know which team is going to turn up on Saturday. We do.”
Gatland and his England opposite number, Eddie Jones, took aim at each other at their team announcements, but it was badinage rather than an exchange of insults. The two get on well and Gatland revealed that both Jones and the England defence coach, John Mitchell, a former Waikato teammate, had sent him texts about having a drink and a chat after the match between the two remaining unbeaten teams.
“England have done pretty well in their opening two games,” Gatland said. “They were very good tactically against Ireland and they have kicked a lot, a tactic that led to seven of their 10 tries. I do not expect them to change their approach because they have had success from it. We have to make sure that they do not start strongly and we have to stay in the arm wrestle.”
Wales are looking for a record 12th consecutive win, a statistic that prompted Jones to label them the best Welsh side ever, but none of the victories has been against a side above them in the world rankings. With Ireland visiting Cardiff at the end of the month, Gatland’s men have the opportunity to break into the top three as well as win the title. Two years ago it was England who arrived on a long winning run and the belief they had developed helped them to win in the closing minutes.
“This is a really big game not just for the Six Nations but for building for the rest of a year that ends with the World Cup,” Gatland said. “The winners will be set up nicely mentally. England have shown their strength in depth by having a totally different forward pack from the one that started against us last year, but their challenge is that five of them having never started a Six Nations match at the Principality Stadium before. It will be a challenge for them.”
England pick Jack Nowell and Ben Moon to start against Wales
Wales’s biggest tactical decision was at fly-half where Gareth Anscombe was again preferred to Dan Biggar. With Leigh Halfpenny not considered because he has not played for three months, the decision to omit Biggar, who is on the bench, leaves them not only without their best tactical kicker but a proven match-winner from the tee whose goal-kicking was instrumental in Wales’s last win against England, at Twickenham in the 2015 World Cup.
“Gareth was with us all last week while Dan did not take part on the Monday or Tuesday because he was with Northampton,” Gatland said. “We went with continuity. Gareth has worked incredibly hard on his kicking game with Neil Jenkins and has made big strides. It is not an issue for us. Dan will get time in the second half, and while he wants to start, he has done a great job forn us coming on.
“We have had a good run over the last 12 months, but we are not getting ahead of ourselves. It is only Eddie saying that this is the greatest Welsh team ever. I would not be disrespectful enough to say that because it is a long way off being that. We are just excited about Saturday.”
Wales team v England Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty. Replacements Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Aaron Wainwright, Aled Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin.