Gatland backing Wales to succeed

Warren Gatland has backed Wales' Six Nations record of the past two seasons to leave them in good stead for Saturday's clash against England.

Wales head to Twickenham, having recorded just one victory there since 1988.

That success two years ago kick-started a Grand Slam campaign in Gatland's first season at the helm.

And although most bookmakers have installed England as marginal favourites, a Wales side containing 10 Lions from last summer's South Africa tour is ready to make its mark.

Gatland said: ‘It is a tough competition. England at home are always tough to beat.

‘In the last two years in the Six Nations we have won eight out of 10 games, and the two games we lost we could have won.

‘In terms of our Six Nations form, eight out of 10 victories is not a bad return from our first two years together.

‘We have got to go into this campaign, even though we have been written off by a lot of people, with some confidence and self-belief.

‘A lot of the players represented the Lions last year and did well.

‘When you play away from home it's tough, and our record in the last number of years isn't great at Twickenham.

‘But we have got to go there with the belief that if we play well enough on the day, we are good enough to win.’

Gatland's line-up includes a recall for Cardiff Blues hooker Gareth Williams almost seven years after his last Six Nations start, while considerable excitement in Wales surrounds a new centre combination of Jamie Roberts and James Hook.