England legend Johnson believes the experience of skipper Ryan Jones, Jonathan Thomas and the returning Martyn Williams against England’s trio of Lewis Moody, James Haskell and Test rookie Luke Narraway will tip the balance in the visitors’ favour.
Wales boast 131 Test caps in the engine room department compared to the Red Rose’s paltry 54. And 2003 World Cup winning captain Johnson said: “Wales are coming to Twickenham thinking they can win there for the first time in 20 years.
“England have got two youngish players in the back row while Wales have got more experience there and will target that area. Wales have a new coach so to start off their season with a first win over England at HQ since 1988 would be huge.”
Johnson skippered the 2007 World Cup finalists to numerous victories over Wales at fortress Twickenham. But he fears the tables will be turned in the Six Nations opener as he singles out another area of English weakness that the visitors will look to exploit.
Johnson said: “Toby Flood has not got much experience at 12 so Wales will be after him too. It’s going to be interesting because England have lost two or three games in the last five Championships.”
