Confidence builder
Last updated: 1st February 2008
There is that tribalism, parochialism and a little bit of distrust of other people within Wales.
Wales have not won at Twickenham since 1998 but their straight talking kiwi coach Warren Gatland believes that his men can triumph over the old enemy.
Gatland believes that momentum is the key and has controversially picked 13 of the starting 15 from the Ospreys based on their success in Europe.
"It is part of the kiwi mentality," said Gatland. "Last week Shaun Edwards said to me that kiwis are eternal optimists. Well that is part of it, you always have to have that dream. If you go in looking at the negatives, well that will drag you down."
Gatland and Edwards have teamed up again from their Wasps days but face a tough task in not only transforming rugby on the field, but off the field too.
"There is that tribalism, parochialism and a little bit of distrust of other people within Wales so it has been a little bit easier for an outsider to come in," explained Gatland.
"Part of my job is to break down those barriers and to get people talking and communicating and to have a little more trust."
The Gatland and Edwards combination has gone down well with the players, especially some of Edwards' training sessions.
"They are different personalities aren't they?" said new Wales skipper Ryan Jones.
"Gatland is a straight talking kiwi and Shaun is quite a character. Training is a bit shorter and a bit sharper. They are very much doers rather than talkers.
"They are not big believers in the whiteboard and presentations, they want to get out there and do it so the onus has been very much put back on us.
"It is making sure we have that collective belief and confidence. We also have got the game plan and the balance right to achieve it. We want to be a team who is remembered as being at the top and staying there."
Wales are expected to get stuck in to England at Twickenham as Gatland attempts to give the side more confidence and add some intensity to their game.
"I have been in the Wales setup for 18 months now and our rate of winning is not very high at the moment," said Alun Wyn Jones.
"But they have brought in a mentality that we are good players and they have got confidence in us and have brought the attitude that we can achieve anything as long as we play together."
Mike Phillips agree and believes that Gatland has done the right thing in sticking with winning combinations of the Ospreys.
"You have to get used to winning games, the Ospreys have done well in Europe so it is a confidence thing. We have got to take that confidence into the game against Saturday against England.
"It is the one we want to win more than anything, I don't know why that is - maybe because you got more money than us up there," joked Phillips.
"It is a huge game traditionally and an honour to be part of a big fixture."
