The 'big threat' compliment England's Tom Roebuck has paid Wales

England wing Tom Roebuck has insisted ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash in Cardiff that Wales are “never a team to be overlooked”. Roebuck will make his first Test start at the Principality Stadium, with England in title contention.

A bonus-point victory for the visitors would guarantee a top-two finish, and then it would be over to France, who are favourites for silverware but cannot afford a slip-up against Scotland in Paris.

England go into the game following successive home victories over France, Scotland and Italy, giving them a fighting chance of topping the table. Wales, in contrast, could end up with a second successive wooden spoon and have lost 16 Tests on the bounce.

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They are also without a Six Nations win since March 2023, and they have suffered eight Test losses in a row at the Principality Stadium. The game will be a final one in charge for Matt Sherratt, who took over on an interim basis following Warren Gatland’s departure after a dismal 22-15 defeat against Italy.

“You have to be confident to be a part of this rugby team – they want confidence from players, so that is something we will look to,” Sale wing Roebuck told reporters at England’s Cardiff base. “But we are not complacent in any way. We know Wales pose a very big threat, and that is something we have been aware of all week.

Six Nations

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

France

4

3

1

0

16

2

England

4

3

1

0

15

3

Ireland

4

3

1

0

14

4

Scotland

4

2

2

0

11

5

Italy

4

1

3

0

4

6

Wales

4

0

4

0

3

“It has obviously been a bit of a weird tournament for Wales with them losing their head coach some games in. But they are always going to be a threatening team and a team that is going to be there or thereabouts. They are never a team to be overlooked.”

England head coach Steve Borthwick has made extensive changes to the team, including a recall for Marcus Smith at full-back. Smith is among four personnel switches, while there are also three positional alterations from the side that brushed aside Italy last time out.

Tommy Freeman moves from the right wing to partner Northampton teammate Fraser Dingwall in the centres, with Roebuck taking the number 14 shirt. Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and flanker Ben Curry also start.

Roebuck added: “We have spoken in the week about the magnitude of the fixture in history, the stadium as well, and the atmosphere there is going to be intense. We, and me especially, are looking forward to it. Our main focus has been Wales – that has been the focus all week.”