The most competitive and intriguing game of the weekend has to be England’s clash with Wales at Twickenham.
Stuart Lancaster has a contract until 2019 but failure to get out of the ‘Group of Death would surely put that security into doubt. This is England’s home Rugby World Cup after all.
Where do the two teams stand?
Since taking over, Lancaster has put huge focus on changing the culture of this English side. He has done that but while they are certainly more humble, they have not been able to convert that culture change into silverware.
That said, they were very impressive in beating the Welsh in Cardiff in the Six Nations but that victory was spearheaded by George Ford at 10 and Jonathan Joseph in the centre. But Joseph is out through injury while Ford, who gives England a much better attacking threat and really gets the backline buzzing, has lost out to Saracens out-half Owen Farrell.
The most competitive and intriguing game of the weekend has to be England’s clash with Wales at Twickenham.
Stuart Lancaster has a contract until 2019 but failure to get out of the ‘Group of Death would surely put that security into doubt. This is England’s home Rugby World Cup after all.
Where do the two teams stand?
Since taking over, Lancaster has put huge focus on changing the culture of this English side. He has done that but while they are certainly more humble, they have not been able to convert that culture change into silverware.
That said, they were very impressive in beating the Welsh in Cardiff in the Six Nations but that victory was spearheaded by George Ford at 10 and Jonathan Joseph in the centre. But Joseph is out through injury while Ford, who gives England a much better attacking threat and really gets the backline buzzing, has lost out to Saracens out-half Owen Farrell.
Farrell is probably a better game manager and also an excellent and proven goal kicker under pressure.
It is not yet clear if this is a horses for courses decision for one game only or a call on the pecking order with Ford dropped. Either way, it is going to be interesting to see what effect it has on Fords confidence if he plays again in this tournament.
Outside the out-half, Sam Burgess comes in to the centre to boost England’s physicality. That is where Wales have always looked to dominate under Gatland.
His clash with Jamie Robert will be huge, a 'no holds barred' meeting of two very powerful men. Burgess was recruited from Rugby League to help England win a World Cup on home soil. We hear so much about his influence off the field but it will be very interesting to see what he does on it as he has not had very many games at centre with Bath playing him in the back row at times last season.
For their part, Wales have had a disrupted build up with injuries to key players like Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny. Those were cruel blows and whatever happens, you have to allow for the fact this is not Wales’ best team.
They are also struggling to replace Adam Jones while his heir apparent Samson Lee is only on the bench as he has injury issues.
England were unimpressive in the opening game against Fiji but with those other factors in their favour I think that they have a strong enough pack to do a number on Wales again and win a tight affair
