Warren Gatland’s side have overcome France and Italy away from home in the 2019 Championship to date to take their current unbeaten run to a remarkable 11 matches – their best in the professional era.
“England are a quality team, but so are we,” said Wales and British & Irish Lions hooker Ken Owens. “There will be the top two teams in the Six Nations going at it to maintain an unbeaten record. We know the job in hand. We have got two wins on the road, but we need to improve.
“It’s about getting stuck into them, but if we do not improve I am sure if England will come down, play as they have done over the last two games in Cardiff, and teach us a lesson.”
Wales and England are the only two unbeaten teams left in the Six Nations and their clash will be played out in front of a sold-out Cardiff crowd. Owens is expecting some atmosphere.
“England will be our first game at home, so we’ll be looking forward to getting the crowd involved. We need to get the supporters behind us and make England uncomfortable because they haven’t really been in that position in their first two games,” Owens added.
“You want to be on the front foot from minute one in Test rugby. England look for a fast start and to get points on the board early. They’ve spoken about how they’ve picked certain players to get those early scores. For us, it’s about getting out there, starting well, and taking our opportunities.
“It’s going to be a tough 80 minutes, which most Test matches are these days, especially if you are playing against quality opposition. England are that. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Wales will train on Monday and Tuesday of this week at their Vale of Glamorgan base with Gatland set to select his team from a position of strength.
“England will have a decent set-piece game. I have worked with Steve Borthwick and he is meticulous in his preparation,” said Owens.
“I’m sure England won’t be coming down with any fear. They’ve won on the last two occasions in Cardiff which is great for them. They probably enjoy coming here, but we’re got a pretty good home record recently and hopefully it will be a good day for us.
“We haven’t talked about the record as there is no point until you’ve done it. The boys are pretty grounded. I think we’ll be judged by our results in years to come when people start comparing this generation to the 1970’s, the 90’s, or whatever. All we can do is keep winning and if we do that, then hopefully we will be remembered as not a bad side.”
re, starting well, and taking our opportunities.
“It’s going to be a tough 80 minutes, which most Test matches are these days, especially if you are playing against quality opposition. England are that. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Wales will train on Monday and Tuesday of this week at their Vale of Glamorgan base with Gatland set to select his team from a position of strength.
“England will have a decent set-piece game. I have worked with Steve Borthwick and he is meticulous in his preparation,” said Owens.
“I’m sure England won’t be coming down with any fear. They’ve won on the last two occasions in Cardiff which is great for them. They probably enjoy coming here, but we’re got a pretty good home record recently and hopefully it will be a good day for us.
“We haven’t talked about the record as there is no point until you’ve done it. The boys are pretty grounded. I think we’ll be judged by our results in years to come when people start comparing this generation to the 1970’s, the 90’s, or whatever. All we can do is keep winning and if we do that, then hopefully we will be remembered as not a bad side.”
