CARDIFF, United Kingdom, Feb 26, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Wales coach Wayne Pivac
has insisted England “remain the team to beat” as his side head into
Saturday’s clash against the Six Nations champions in Cardiff on the brink of
a Triple Crown.
A run of only three wins out of 10 Tests, including six successive defeats,
under the New Zealander in 2020 left many fans wondering if Pivac was the
right man to succeed Warren Gatland following his compatriot’s successful
spell in charge of Wales.
But a year where the only teams Wales defeated were perennial strugglers
Italy (twice) and second-tier Georgia has been followed by Six Nations wins
over Ireland and Scotland, albeit both sides had a player sent off.
“We harp on about what has gone on in the past but we’ve moved well and
truly on,” said Pivac, whose men will stay on course for a Grand Slam if they
beat England.
“There’s a Triple Crown on this game for us and that’s exciting. If we can
get that 80-minute performance then there’s a bigger prize than a Triple
Crown (on offer).”
“There has been talk about 14 men v 15 men,” he added. “Hopefully there
will be 15 v 15 and we’ll be under pressure at times — it’s how we cope with
that pressure.”
Saturday will see George North win his 100th Wales cap, with the powerhouse
wing paired in the centres alongside Jonathan Davies after they both missed a
tense 25-24 win away to Scotland through injury.
England made a woeful start to their title defence, losing 11-6 to Scotland
as their oldest rivals won at Twickenham for the first time since 1983,
before hammering Italy.
Pivac, however, said: “Having dropped the first game makes them (England)
more dangerous. They’re the team to beat for us.” – ‘Make or break’ –
England coach Eddie Jones, forced into a late change after blindside
flanker Courtney Lawes pulled out with a chest muscle injury, was well aware
of what was at stake.
“You get to the third game of the series and for most teams it’s a make-or-
break game,” he said.
The veteran Australian boss, while saddened by the absence of spectators
due to coronavirus restrictions, forecast another ‘intense’ Anglo-Welsh clash
in a match that will see two of the game’s quickest wings in Gloucester’s
Jonny May (England) and Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales) on opposite sides.
Jones also put French referee Pascal Gauzere on notice in typical fashion.
“They (England-Wales matches) always go down to the wire, so the pressure
is going to be on the referee to make the right decisions.”
Meanwhile, Jones warned England to beware being wound up by Wales captain
Alun Wyn Jones.
When Wales last played England in Cardiff two years ago, the veteran lock,
the world’s most-capped international, got under the skin of Red Rose prop
Kyle Sinckler.
Eventually, Sinckler gave away two penalties in quick succession, causing a
shift in momentum that saw him substituted as Wales won 21-13.
“It (Saturday’s match) is his 146th Test (for Wales) so he knows what he’s
doing,” said England coach Jones of the Welsh skipper.
“At times he has targeted players in our team. We understand what he’ll be
trying to do.
“It’s just about making sure we maintain our composure and our control. I’m
sure Alun Wyn Jones is going to be looking for those situations and we’re
going to have to deal with them.”
The last six England-Wales matches in the Six Nations have been decided by
single-figure margins
“These sorts of game you’ve got to win not once, but maybe two or three
times,” insisted Jones.
“Wales will keep coming and keep coming. It will be a great contest.”