This is no petty, parochial squabble. It is not merely about hatred and history and cross-border spite, although that will bubble beneath the surface. It is not a grudge match. It is much bigger than that.
What awaits in Cardiff is a truly grand occasion with far-reaching implications. This Guinness Six Nations fixture is about pursuit of the title and high ambitions but it also has a global dimension.
England and Wales are ranked third and fourth in the world respectively. Both are prime contenders to reach the World Cup semi-finals this year, providing they can win their pools and avoid the doomsday scenario of a quarter-final head-to-head.
England and Wales have experienced, successful international coaches in charge
Both countries are guided by experienced, successful international coaches in the highest echelon of their profession.
Warren Gatland won’t be in charge of Wales in another championship, so this is his farewell European campaign and victory would help the Kiwi sign off in style after 11 years in his post.
Eddie Jones has a contract until 2021 but there is a chance he may not continue after the World Cup, so he is fiercely driven to claim a third championship in four attempts. He is also driven to deny Gatland and Wales a party in front of their people.
Both teams have won their opening two games, hence this match has become a title eliminator. The victors aren’t quite guaranteed the prize, as Ireland surely won’t trip up on Sunday in Rome, but they will have one hand on the trophy.
Wales have had the results, if not the stellar performances. They got out of jail in Paris by rallying from 16-0 down to snatch victory, aided by calamitous French errors.
‘This is a team which has forgotten how to lose,’ said Gatland that night.
They proceeded to beat Italy, somewhat unconvincingly, for their 11th successive Test win. On Saturday, they have their sights on a dream dozen which would be a national record.
But to make it, they have to defy the odds. England are favourites. Jones’s side have emerged from their slump late last season and are rising fast. They are the team of the championship so far, having stunned title-holders Ireland in Dublin with a performance that blended defensive ferocity and ruthless attacking precision, before smashing feeble France.
They have vast power and nous, a revitalised back row and a wing in Jonny May who is on a scoring spree.
Jones has sought to build up the hosts and then claim that others were the ones throwing bouquets at the Welsh and calling them ‘the
