England captain Phil Vickery has insisted that the RBS Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday will be "won and lost up front".
England captain expects a physical battle
England captain Phil Vickery has insisted that the RBS Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday will be "won and lost up front".
England have named a physical front five as they look to stop Wales recording a first win at Twickenham in 20 years.
Although England have enjoyed some big-scoring wins over the Welsh at home over the years, last season's defeat at the Millennium Stadium still rankles with Vickery.
And with Wales arriving with a new coaching team, headed by Warren Gatland, the Gloucester prop has no doubt where the key battles will be.
He said: "Rugby is a very simple game - it is won and lost up front.
"And the physicality of the international game, in particular, is huge. England versus Wales is always an immensely physical game.
"They won that battle against us down at the Millennium Stadium last season. Their forwards set the foundations for what was a pretty comfortable victory.
World-class
"If you look at this Welsh team, they've got world-class players and they have got some world-class coaches now, I believe.
"If they can get it right on the field, I think they are going to be a very dangerous side.
"I have never played in an England versus Wales game that has not been a physical battle.
"You've got two teams that are very highly motivated.
"Wales have got a clean slate with a new coaching team; a fantastic target to aim for having not won at Twickenham for 20 years; and I don't think they will have any fears coming to Twickenham.
"They will be given a licence to go out and express themselves and enjoy their rugby.
"But we've also got a very highly-motivated group of players who want to go out and represent their country.
"I think we would all be pretty disappointed if it wasn't a physical battle.
"It will be a massively physical game played on the very edge, as you would expect international rugby to be played."
