Wales could win some silverware early in the Six Nations Championship, as they aim to capture the Triple Crown by defeating England. They won the Six Nations title in 2018 thanks to a remarkable 21-13 win at the Millennium Stadium nearly exactly two years before this fixture. After two unexpected wins over Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, the momentum is now with them. Although the absence of supporters is a shame at this unofficial day of celebration in Wales, Wayne Pivac’s team are building confidence at a moment when every other team except France seems to be easily reached. Italy beat England by 18 points last time out. Eddie Jones’ team will appreciate the two-week break to improve their defensive strategies. Although Wales was a lot of experts’ second-best this season, they were still well above the perennially rock-bottom Italy. However, momentum is crucial in this tournament, and a tie at home in this historic fixture in recent years has made all the difference. The two-week training period should have been shorter, but Wales are in great form and can make the most out of the fractured England team by playing -3 at Millennium Stadium.
WALES
- Wales upset the odds with an incredible Six Nations classic at Murrayfield as they beat Scotland 24-25 on Saturday, with 20-year-old rising star Louis Rees-Zammit scoring two tries.
- Wales have benefitted from a red card for their opponents in each of their Six Nations matches so far but their character is blossoming again under previously under-fire head coach Wayne Pivac and will be playing for the Triple Crown against rivals England here.
- George North becomes the youngest player in the world to make the 100-cap mark internationally in this crunch match against England whilst Josh Navidi returns to the back row.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Josh Navidi, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones
Last Updated on October 2, 2021
