A factor is Wales drew with Ireland whilst we comfortably beat them. I know Wales usually start off badly but it does suggest England are in a better posistion.
6 Nations games don't always work like that these days! The importance of the individual match ups has a habit of rendering the results vs other teams a little bit irrelevant. Of course not ruling out form, as England do (rightly) go into this one as slight favorites, but still not always the best pre match indicator.
Take last year - England beat Wales, Ireland beat England, Wales beat Ireland. Anything can happen!
Wales have a simple gameplan and have proven time and again they really don't have answer for when it gets shut out there is no Plan B. Other teams you see trying things when Pan A doesn't work even if it likely leads to them still loosing.
This is the biggest worry going into most big games as a Welsh fan. That Wales vs England 6N match last year shows what happens when we don't bring an effective plan B after a team shuts down our plan A.
For me, Wales simply can't expect to go to Twickenham and beat England with the same game plan as we played against France. England's back 3 are an excellent unit, and kicking that much ball to them would be suicide.
We are apparently trying play a more "expansive" game, but nto seen it so far... This match is easily the biggest test in that department.
On the flip side, our "carry it straight up the middle" style could be effective with Roberts running at the Ford / Farrell channel off a set play - especially if the forwards are tied up somewhere else.
On the whole bench front I really wouldn't be banking on England tired legs, Cole a prop has played all but 10 minuites so far. This team is fit and has a forward packed bench, our one try conceed is testimate to that.
Don't think anyone's saying that England are gonna be completely out on their feet come the 60 - 70 min mark, very few international teams are these days!
However, someone like Webb is a handful to contain straight from the first minute, let alone when you've had an hour or so of hard play in your legs! Same goes for the likes of Care coming on off the bench too.
Looking at Wales, I am utterly perplexed by Cuthbert's recall. I didn't see the France game, maybe he's miraculously become brilliant, but I seriously doubt it. I honestly think he's the worst regular international for a Tier 1 nation I've ever seen. What does Gatland see in him?!
Gatland obviously sees something in Cuthbert that no-one else does... He didn't do anything wrong against France, but that's probably due to him not really doing anything at all during the game!
I mean Wales barely bothered passing the ball to the wings against France, but you'd think he'd have a point to prove after being dropped and go looking for work!
