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Guinness Six Nations: Wales v England Preview

rugby player dives over to score a try

The outcome of Saturday’s Test match between Wales and England in Cardiff may well decide who goes on to claim this season’s Six Nations title.

Wales v England
23 February 18h45
Principality Stadium, Cardiff

To Win (80 mins)
Wales 16/10
Draw 20/1
England 5/10



Handicap
Wales (+5.5) 9/10
England (-5.5) 9/10

As the only two unbeaten sides left in the competition, the irony of this weekend’s match up won’t be lost on either set of players. An elusive Grand Slam is certainly not out of the question and one would expect both Warren Gatland and Eddie Jones to have prepped their soldiers in anticipation of what could be this edition’s defining contest.

Wales are riding high after 11-consecutive victories that has seen them soar to third-place on the world rankings. After their come-from-behind win over France in Round One, however, their having failed to pick up a bonus-point away to Italy may come back to bite them. They currently sit two-log points behind England in second, but a win in Cardiff this weekend would see them steal top spot.

Jones’ side have hit the ground running with their first-round thrashing of a powerful Ireland setup tipping the scales ever in their favour. Victory on Saturday would put them in prime position to claim the Grand Slam, let alone the title itself, and you’d expect the Roses to put in another typically robust showing.

As they did against Ireland, England may look to target the hosts’ back three by executing kicks behind their rush-defence. Wales’ heavy men simply must win the collisions if they are to afford their backs the time and space to play their natural game, and they have been helped somewhat with the news that Mako Vunipola and Maro Itoje have both been ruled out through injury.

The likes of Billy Vunipola and Courtney Lawes need to be at their abrasive best if they are to prevent this settled Welsh lineup from getting into their rhythm, while plenty will depend upon Owen Farrell’s performance at fly half.

Wales may look to target the line out and scrum (particularly in Vunipola’s absence) with influential skipper Alun Wyn Jones set to play a big role.

Verdict: England (-5.5) 9/10
England seem to be hitting their straps at the right time and, despite their mini injury crisis, should come away with the spoils in Cardiff.

Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets

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