Rugby: Difficult task to stop Wales

Warren Gatland. Photo / Mark Mitchell

England v Wales, the Six Nations, memories of great players, great deeds. It doesn't get any better than this in the world of Northern Hemisphere rugby.

In the environs of Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland maybe it is hard to understand. But Twickenham tomorrow encompasses all the drama, the passion, the history. This is the fixture that epitomises the intrigue of rugby in this part of the world.

England v Wales is a match rich in rugby folklore, one that encapsulates the essence of this competition. Forget, for a moment, World Cups, Super 15 and Heineken Cups. On this sacred turf, In London's southwestern suburbs, dance the ghosts of the greats. Here, the great Gareth Edwards surged, the immortal Barry John slipped and slithered; here, the legendary Bleddyn Williams and David Duckham stepped elegantly; Dewi Bebb finished with aplomb.

And for years, English rugby teams doffed the collective cap to the great Welsh teams of the 1970s. So much pain for English supporters, to be sure, but such pleasure to remember the stirring deeds of those Welsh teams.

And this weekend, a new generation lines up in sporting warfare. Warren Gatland brings his Welsh team to London for what should be an orthodox task.

Wales are clear favourites to close in a possible Grand Slam - why, only England's new, makeshift, fragile team stands between them and a potential Grand Slam decider against France in Cardiff next month.

And yet, history hammers at the invader's brain. Wales have won just once in more than 20 years at Twickenham; the headquarters of English rugby has been a graveyard to the hopes of so many Welsh teams.

On paper, Wales should be clear favourites. England, embryonic England, have made four changes from their last game, with new men in Lee Dickson at half back, Ben Morgan at No 8, Geoff Parling at lock and with the mercurial youngster Owen Farrell moved to first five-eighths. Outside him, England have recalled, from the depths of Auckland harbour, Manu Tuilagi to second five-eighths.

Wales have already beaten Ireland and Scotland and there is every reason to believe their greater physicality, composure and class should prevail. And yet, history mocks the clairvoyant.

For me, Wales will prevail. Yet for England's stand-in coach Stuart Lancaster, this is the acid test.

Ireland should comfortably dispose of Italy at Lansdowne Rd, a week before they return to Paris to meet France. By then, the French, too, ought to be closing in on a Grand Slam, for they will surely be too strong for a hitherto disappointing Scotland in Edinburgh on Monday.

On the weekend the Super 15 starts in the Southern Hemisphere, Wales and France should carry the Northern Hemisphere banner with swagger. But there is always the Twickenham factor.

Ireland v Italy
Tomorrow, 2am live ESPN

England v Wales
Tomorrow, 4.30am live ESPN

Scotland v France
Monday, 3.30am live ESPN