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England can now match the All Blacks in at least one department - Williams
Shane Williams has warned Wales that they will come up against an England team with a strength in depth matched only by the All Blacks when they head to Twickenham on Saturday.
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Warren Gatland’s men are on a high following their stunning 34-7 victory over Scotland in Cardiff last weekend, raising hopes that they could cause an upset against the defending champions.
Williams insists Wales are more than capable of victory over Eddie Jones’ side but believes the strength of England’s bench, which boasts names such as Ben Te’o and Jack Nowell, could be decisive.
“I think Wales are good enough to win but I just think England’s strength in depth is up there with the All Blacks,” the legendary wing told Omnisport.
“They’ve got some world-class players now coming off the bench to strengthen that squad.
“I think it’s a real tough ask for Wales. I do think they can win it, but I think England have got to be the firm favourites at Twickenham. It’s not an easy place to go and play.”
Final prep at Twickenham ahead of tomorrow's #ENGvWAL clash ?#CarryThemHome ? pic.twitter.com/ffiqj6Iu1k
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 9, 2018
Wales – featuring 10 Scarlets players in the starting XV – ran in four tries in a thrillingly expansive display against Scotland, making light of injuries to a host of key players, including Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar.
“I think they probably played better than a lot of us expected,” said Williams, who won 87 caps for Wales. “I knew the team had the potential to do it and we’ve seen Scarlets do it week in, week out in the Pro14.
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“A little bit surprised I suppose, but that’s the style of rugby we’ve been wanting them to play for a long time and now Warren’s brought it in and introduced it.
“They look very comfortable doing it. My concern is whether they can keep doing it.
“England is going to be a little bit different. I think defensively they’re going to be far sharper and quicker to put Wales under pressure.
“But it’s a step in the right direction and we beat a team that a lot of people were saying we were going to lose to.”
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Gatland has named an unchanged side for the trip to Twickenham, retaining his sizeable contingent of starting Scarlets.
“I think having a lot of those Scarlets players definitely helped the performance on the weekend,” added Williams. “The familiarity of the players around them, they looked very comfortable.
“When [Aaron] Shingler was in the middle of the field or Rob Evans, they connected well with Rhys Patchell and the other boys and looked very dangerous.
“They’re all singing off the same hymn sheet and that was a big part of it.
WALES | Unchanged starting XV for Saturday's #SixNations clash against England. 12 Scarlets in matchday 23! #inthepack
CYMRU | Dim newid i'r tîm cyhwynol ar gyfer dydd Sadwrn, 12 Scarlet yn y garfan! #ynypac
?https://t.co/oDhL90fpdF
Cymraeg ?? https://t.co/n4FfodUBzd] pic.twitter.com/EAFXqUkzjG— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) February 6, 2018
“The magic now is to blend in players from other clubs, get them all playing the same style of rugby and it’s great that they are playing the style that Scarlets are playing but obviously the national team should be stronger.
“But it’s very positive and it was good to see the lads playing with a smile on their face.”
With Rugby World Cup 2019 on the horizon, Shane tackles the best Japan has to offer in his new online series Shane Williams: Big In Japan https://www.facebook.com/shanebiginjapan
To discover the wonders of Japan for yourself: http://visitjapan2019.com/ #EndlessDiscovery
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments