RBS 6 Nations
Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 6 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One and the BBC Sport website; listen on BBC Radio 5 live; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
MATCH PREVIEW
On the day that Twickenham celebrates 100 years of international rugby, England are promising to unleash a brave new era in their commemorative old-school jerseys.
While Wales have a deserved reputation for imaginative and instinctive rugby, England have offered little in the last 18 months - other than the final two games of last year’s Six Nations - to dispute the claim of former captain Lawrence Dallaglio that they are inhibited by coach Martin Johnson’s iconic status.
That could be about to change. Johnson has named the boldest attacking team of his tenure after being persuaded in a frank meeting with his squad to remove the tactical straitjacket.
He has looked to his backs for the future, with gifted ball-handlers and willing runners such as Mathew Tait and Delon Armitage restored to the side with a license to express themselves.
The ill wind that blew through England from the southern hemisphere during the autumn internationals also enveloped Wales. Warren Gatland’s side were, like England, comfortably beaten by New Zealand and Australia. The 33-12 defeat to the Wallabies was Wales’ heaviest home defeat in two years.
If Wales needed an added spur to beat England, it will be provided by the planned pre-match entertainment, in aid of the Twickenham centenary celebrations.
606: DEBATE
Who will win at Twickenham
The sight of more than 300 choir members forming a huge St George’s Cross while singing the national anthem and Jerusalem is enough to stiffen the resolve of any Welshman.
England, while embracing the future, can take inspiration from the past. They beat Wales in the first international ever staged at Twickenham, on 15 January 1910.
That day, England scored a try in the first minute. How they would love a start like that to set the tone for this tournament.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Wales have won their last three Six Nations matches against England - they have not managed four victories in a row since an eventual five-game streak between 1975-79.
• The two nations are locked together on 53 wins apiece in 118 previous meetings, with 12 draws.
• England beat Wales 11-6 in the first-ever international at Twickenham on 15 January, 1910.
England
• Martin Johnson’s side have won their last four Six Nations matches at Twickenham since losing 26-19 to Wales in their 2008 opener.
• But England have lost 16 of their last 33 internationals at Twickenham.
• They only scored one try in three matches in the autumn.
Wales
• Wales have won their last three away matches.
• Flanker Martyn Williams wins his 92nd cap, moving him equal third with Gareth Llewellyn on Wales’ all-time appearance list.
TEAM LINE-UPS
**England: **15-Delon Armitage, 14-Mark Cueto, 13-Mathew Tait, 12-Toby Flood, 11-Ugo Monye, 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Danny Care, 8-Nick Easter, 7-Lewis Moody, 6-James Haskell, 5-Steve Borthwick (captain), 4-Simon Shaw, 3-David Wilson, 2-Dylan Hartley, 1-Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16-Steve Thompson, 17-Dan Cole, 18-Louis Deacon, 19-Steffon Armitage, 20-Paul Hodgson, 21-Shontayne Hape, 22-Ben Foden.
Wales:
15-Lee Byrne, 14-Tom James, 13-James Hook, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-Shane Williams, 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Gareth Cooper, 8-Ryan Jones (captain), 7-Martyn Williams, 6-Andy Powell, 5-Luke Charteris, 4-Alun-Wyn Jones, 3-Adam Rhys Jones, 2-Gareth Williams, 1-Paul James.
Replacements: 16-Huw Bennett, 17-Rhys Gill, 18-Bradley Davies, 19-Jonathan Thomas, 20-Richard Rees, 21-Andrew Bishop, 22-Leigh Halfpenny.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges: George Clancy & Simon McDowell (both Ireland)
**TV: **Jim Yuille (Scotland)
ONES TO WATCH
JAMES HOOK (Wales)
- Centre, aged 24
- Normally a fly-half but has often played at centre or full-back for the Ospreys this season
- Scored 38 points in his previous two Tests against England
- Made his debut against Argentina in 2006
**MATHEW TAIT (England)
**
- Centre, aged 24
- Celebrates 24th birthday on Saturday with only second Test start since 2007 World Cup final
- Made England debut aged 18 v Wales in 2005 when infamously dump-tackled by Gavin Henson
- He has only made 15 starts in 32 previous Tests
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