Six Nations: Shaun Edwards says Wales are spot on ahead of Friday's game against England

Shaun Edwards says Wales have enjoyed the ideal build-up to this season’s Six Nations campaign.

Wales kick off the tournament when they host England in Cardiff on Friday evening and assistant coach Edwards insists they are well prepared for the match, unlike last year when they lost both their away games – including against England – as they failed to secure a hat-trick of championships.

This time around, they enter the competition following a stirring victory over South Africa in the autumn and they are also at full strength for England's visit.

"We are in a better place than we were this time last year, when there was a lot going on," said Edwards.

"The lads had won two Six Nations, had come off a Lions series and there were the troubles with the regions, so there were quite a lot of distractions.

"I just feel we are more focused this year. We are also healthy, which is a massive factor. We had 18 changes last year (throughout the Six Nations), when England had four and Ireland three, and they were the top two teams. It goes in cycles.

"We have beaten South Africa, which was the second time in 100 years, and that got a monkey off our back. But we have always said we are judged on the Six Nations and competitions where you have a trophy at the end of it. The big competitions are the Six Nations and the World Cup."

Focus on Twickenham defeat

England were hammered by a record 30-3 margin on their last Cardiff visit in 2013, yet Edwards insists Wales have been far more concerned by what happened at Twickenham last season.

Wales lost 29-18, and they were only kept in the contest by full-back Leigh Halfpenny's prodigious goalkicking after a performance that fell way below their usual standard.

"A lot of people talk about what happened here in Cardiff, but we have never spoken about that," Edwards added.

"We have only spoken about the last performance against England. Even to the fact where the players made themselves watch the first half at Twickenham, then watch the first half of the All Blacks game (in November), just to show the difference from one performance to the other with virtually the same side.

"The players made themselves do that, and we also watched some of the South Africa match. It demonstrated that when we turned up with the right attitude, we are not a bad team."

Unlike two years ago, the Millennium Stadium roof will not be closed on Friday after England boss Stuart Lancaster opted for it to be kept open, but Edwards said: "It is not something we've discussed too much.

"We will just get on with playing the game. I believe it is a dry night on Friday, so hopefully it will be a good game of rugby."