Wales vs. England: Jones and Gatland start the mind games ahead of Six Nations clash

Wales vs. England

What: Six Nations 2019 round three
When: Saturday 23 February
Where: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Start time: 4.45pm (GMT)
TV channel: live on BBC One and S4C

The kick-off to the eagerly-awaited Wales vs. England Six Nations match is on Saturday at 4.45pm but the mind games began on Thursday when the two coaches named their starting line-ups and threw some choice morsels at the media pack.

Ahead of the Cardiff clash between the two remaining unbeaten teams, England head coach Eddie Jones described his opponents as the “greatest Wales side ever”, a phrase that drew a wry smile from Warren Gatland.

“The only quotes I can see about this being the greatest Wales team are from Eddie Jones,” joked Wales coach Gatland.

“It hasn’t come from anyone else so I wouldn’t be disrespectful enough to say this was the greatest Welsh team ever. It’s a long way off being the greatest Welsh team ever. He’s the one talking us up.”

Travel update

Nonetheless Wales are unbeaten in 12 matches but England will be a thorough test of their credentials given the way Jones’s side have played against Ireland and France in the first two rounds.

Gatland knows it, which is why he’s indulged in a bit of a psychological warfare himself. “The big challenge for England is five of their forward pack, it’s the first time they’re starting at the Principality Stadium,” declared Gatland, who then switched from coach to travel reporter.

“I think England are making a significant mistake by travelling tomorrow, coming through Newport at about five o’clock is probably not the best thing to be doing, going through the Brynglas tunnels,” he explained.

“There’s a good chance there could be tractors and buses holding them up. That’s going to be an experience for them.”

All change

Gatland has made 11 changes to the side that beat Italy in Rome a fortnight ago, with his most significant decision the recall of Gareth Anscombe at fly-half in preference to Dan Biggar.

Gareth Davies is chosen at scrum-half to partner Anscombe, while as expected George North and captain Alun Wyn Jones are back after being rested against the Italians.

“We’ve had a great two-week lead-up to this game, we’ve looked really sharp and the squad are incredibly motivated to kick on,” said Gatland, whose side last lost on 24 February 2018 against Ireland.

“It’s a massive challenge playing against an England team that is playing really well and with a lot of confidence and we’ve got to make it difficult for them on Saturday.”

Nowell gets the nod

In contrast to Wales, England have made just two changes to the starting XV that thrashed France 44-8 at Twickenham with Jack Nowell replacing the injured Chris Ashton on the wing, and prop Ben Moon in for the crocked Mako Vunipola.

Wing Joe Cokanasiga and flanker Brad Shields are among the replacements and in line to make their first appearance of the championship.

“We are playing potentially the greatest team ever,” declared Eddie Jones, aware that the winner in Cardiff will take a giant step towards the grand slam.

“Their players are full of emotion and it’s the biggest game they are going to play in their lives. We have had a good week just focusing on ourselves and focusing on getting our preparation right.”

Starting XVs and replacements

Wales team

Starting XV: 15. Liam Williams, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Hadleigh Parkes, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Gareth Davies; 1. Rob Evans, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Cory Hill, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 6. Josh Navidi, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Ross Moriarty
Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Adam Beard, 20. Aaron Wainwright, 21. Aled Davies, 22. Dan Biggar, 23. Owen Watkin

England team

Starting XV: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Ben Moon, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 George Kruis, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Billy Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Dan Robson, 22 George Ford, 23 Joe Cokanasiga