Stuart Barnes looks at the mammoth task facing England when they travel to Wales at the start of the Six Nations

It was another weekend of club rugby that threw the thoughts inexorably towards the commencement of the Six Nations and Cardiff in particular. Wales on a hostile Friday night in Cardiff is both the best and worst of starts for England.

Best because if Stuart Lancaster’s team can win at this most intimidating of venues for those from east of the Severn they will have a taken a giant step away from the confusion of much of the autumn. It is a golden opportunity. It is also a major threat, potentially a game that could spiral them back into a state of confusion.

What had me thinking forward to Cardiff was the west Wales derby between the table-topping Ospreys and the underachieving Scarlets. The men in red didn’t underachieve Saturday. To any who witnessed the powerful display of their pack in the second half at Swansea one week earlier it would have been no great surprise. What made the biggest impression on me, or rather who made such an impression, was Scott Williams, the returning Scarlets centre.

The absence of Manu Tuialgi, the anonymity of Sam Burgess, the early injury to Kyle Eastmond, all these factors slam home the fact England has an many problems with their midfield as Wales has options.

Natural born player

He was superb. A powerful physical specimen, an elegant runner, a natural born rugby player and unless Jonathan Davies is injured he is unlikely to start against England. Lancaster would open his arms for such a player while Wales have the midfield talent to consider leaving him on the bench. It is a reminder of the talent available to Wales behind the scrum. It also indicates that for all his European success in terms of results, Warren Gatland has yet to get anywhere near the maximum from his team.

The Welsh back line is an explosion of attacking angles waiting to happen. The presence of Mike Phillips shaped the team towards complete power play with Jamie Roberts the battering ram but Roberts can do that and more. What if Wales find the key?

Or should that be the right men to unlock the dormant talent behind the scrum? In Dan Biggar they have an accomplished fly-half and an outstanding goal kicker but it is Rhys Webb who is central to any improvement/change in Wales. His passing game is from another era when scrum-halves focused first and foremost on the quality of their service. His speed and accuracy of pass gives Biggar and the backs an extra second or so whilst his ability to break ensures the back-row can never neglect his threat. If Wales guarantee a platform Webb can be the catalyst of a resurgent Welsh team.

Ruled out late with injury at the weekend, Webb’s excellence was obvious in his absence. It is not that Martyn Roberts did much wrong but the lack of Webb’s presence stripped the Ospreys of their beating heart.

This reverse fixture has also emphasised that there is life after Adam Jones. Samson Lee has emerged with perfect timing to take his place on the tight head. With Jake Ball getting better week by week and Alun Wyn Jones rarely less than outstanding, Wales look likely to provide Webb and the Welsh backs with the platform they need. Over to the coaches and the Welsh approach to the game.

Doubts creeping in

From an English perspective last weekend would have been a niggling one for Stuart Lancaster. George Ford was outstanding in his two autumn starts and has grown in confidence since but suddenly his goal kicking yips returned at Leicester. A bad miss at the end of the first half was compounded with a shocker on full-time to deprive Bath of a losing bonus point.

On the edge of the television screen Ford was the fly-half being tackled late, harassed and held on the floor. His old team-mates roughed him up in what is an entirely appropriate way, all credit to the Tigers, they got to him. Cardiff on a Friday night will be even less friendly. Watching on was Lancaster. His own niggling doubts will have returned.

Twenty-four hours earlier in a game devoid of pressure or intensity, Owen Farrell played it steady. He didn’t tick too many boxes but he did little wrong either. The decision between Ford and Farrell is not as done and dusted as many might think.

The absence of Manu Tuialgi, the anonymity of Sam Burgess, the early injury to Kyle Eastmond, all these factors slam home the fact England have as many problems with their midfield as Wales have options.

Next weekend I will be in Cardiff at the old Arms Park for the clash between Cardiff and Leinster. Maybe next Monday it will be Ireland’s time to come under the microscope. After the match in Dublin last Saturday all I will write is that Ireland need a fit Jonny Sexton.

Oh yes, happy New Year to Sky’s rugby fraternity and your families and friends.

Stuart answers your emails...

Got a question for Stuart? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com, Tweet @SkySportsRugby #askskyrugby or use the feedback form on skysports.com.

Hi Stuart, do you agree with Dai Young’s comments that Christian Wade should be seriously considered for an England role? Are there still doubts surrounding his willingness to get stuck in - especially in defence? Josh Hurrell

Yes, he must be seriously considered and yes there remain doubts although not about his 'willingness to get stuck in' so much as his defensive game and how he fits England's pattern. 
 
Interesting to see Saracens using head sensors to help with concussion - would you like to see these being brought in across the board? Would there be some argument for introducing this at say school level too? I realise that there may be some problem with actually monitoring the info but I think it would be a great to introduce this at a grassroots level too. Thoughts? Gavin Lester

Gavin, I am as concerned as the next man about concussive injuries but I am also worried about what has become an obsessive fear of injury in any shapes or sizes on the field. Anything to monitor and minimise traumatic injuries is to be encouraged but can it all come with the caveat that rugby is indeed both dangerous and reckless and there are no guarantees. Was it not Geoff Parling who had to tell the watching world that two concussions did not spell the end of his career. We do, both in the media and public, get carried away in a way that bemuses even the players.

Working out how to tackle with good technique and not to use the head to smash opposition at the breakdown comes before head sensors in the longer term interests of both the sport and safety. At school level the utilisation of sensors would suggest the cart is being put in front of the horse.
 
I have been watching the Premiership and the European Cup and a stand-out player for me is Matt Hopper. Why do you not think he has been considered for England as he is very dynamic and explosive and can also act as a distributor. What are your thoughts? Edward

Edward, a few years backed I was mocked by my Sky colleagues for comparing him to New Zealand's Conrad Smith....I didn't suggest he was as good but saw a similarity in style, clever, quick feet, quick brain, good work rate etc... but maybe, in a team that needs dynamism, he lacks the explosive quality England's game plan requires... good player though and one who is always interesting to watch.