Alex King believes Wales need to take a “fearless” approach when they face England at Twickenham on Saturday. The last time Wales defeated their fierce rivals was in a Six Nations match on British soil 12 years ago. And since beating England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, England rugby headquarters have lost seven times in a row, five of them by just six points or less.
Wales head to London after getting out of trouble in the Cardiff Classic against Scotland, but fell 27-0 down by 26 points, almost completing the biggest comeback in Six Nations history. . England, on the other hand, were pushed hard by Italy in Rome, leading at half-time but winning 27-24 despite being outscored by a try.
“[England] Wales have a decent team – finishing third in the World Cup is proof of that,” said Wales assistant coach and former Wasps flyhalf King. “I think we need to put on a fearless game there and put the pressure on them again. We just have to play in England, especially with 70,000 people screaming for them. , we can’t wait to see what they do. We have to express ourselves the way we want to play and what England can do before we start responding. Don’t wait to see.
“It’s important to show the players that England are a good team but they’re not invincible. That’s the reality. They obviously have good players and are well-coached, but Twickenham is just another stadium. I’m looking forward to going there again. I’ll keep my Welsh cap on. They won some important games in the World Cup and cornered South Africa. We were able to win those close games and cross the goal line in certain games. Like any team, they have their weaknesses. It’s up to us to take advantage of them on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Wales manager Warren Gatland will have to make at least one change from the game against Scotland after flanker James Botham was ruled out with a knee injury. Botham, the grandson of England’s great cricketer Ian Botham, who scored Wales’ first try against Scotland, will rehabilitate at his club Cardiff. Botham’s Cardiff colleague Seb Davies was added to the squad, while experienced Harlequins prop Dillon Lewis was also called up.
King added that fly-half Sam Costelow was sent off before half-time against Scotland. “He’s been diagnosed with a neurological problem in his neck. The good thing is it wasn’t a concussion. He’s going to be selected, but the question is whether he clears the medical protocols. ” Former Bristol player Yoan Lloyd, who replaced Costelow to impressive effect against Scotland, would be favorite to wear the number 10 shirt if he is substituted.
Meanwhile, Scotland have suffered yet another injury disaster with forwards Luke Crosby and Richie Gray left out of the rest of the Six Nations squad. Edinburgh back-rower Crosby was taken off in the second half of Saturday’s 27-26 away win over Wales with a shoulder problem, while Glasgow second-rower Gray was sent off in the first half with a biceps problem.
Injuries are now being assessed and Scotland announced on Tuesday morning that the pair, who both started for Cardiff, will miss the remainder of the competition. Scotland will be without Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn and Edinburgh winger Darcy Graham, with co-captain Rory Darge deemed not fit enough to play following a knee injury sustained at the end of December. As a result, they are already without several key players ahead of last weekend’s opening game. He had knee and quadriceps issues that ruled him out for at least the first two games.
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The Scots hope Durge will be fit enough to return for Saturday’s match against Murrayfield against France, which would help make up for the loss of Crosby in the back row, while Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist will be available to replace Gray after his suspension ends.
