Wales and England’s Six Nations rivalry is about as intense as it gets and there is sure to be a raucous atmosphere when Steve Borthwick’s side appear in Cardiff in the third round of the Championship.
There were reasons for encouragement in Borthwick’s first match in charge, a 23-29 defeat against Scotland at Twickenham, although some familiar defensive frailties were evident. A second-round win over Italy, though, gave Borthwick his first win in charge of England.
Warren Gatland, meanwhile, has endured a chastening start to his second spell as Wales head coach having been brushed aside by Six Nations favourites Ireland in their opening game before losing their second-round match to Scotland at Murrayfield.
When and where is Wales v England?
This third-round Six Nations fixture between Wales and England will take place on Saturday, February 25, with kick-off at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff at 4.45pm (GMT).
What TV channel is Wales v England on?
The match will be broadcast live on the BBC.
Who is the referee?
Frenchman Mathieu Raynal who has taken charge of six Test matches to date. One of those was England’s memorable draw against the All Blacks during last year’s Autumn Internationals.
The Six Nations 2023 table – as it stands
What happened in this fixture in 2022?
Like this year, the two sides met in round three of the Championship in 2022. Having lost at Murrayfield in round one, England were looking for back-to-back wins following a 33-0 over Italy in Rome in round two.
Wales were on the receiving end of a 29-7 demolition by Ireland in Cardiff to begin the 2022 Championship but got back on track by beating Scotland in Cardiff thanks to a late Dan Biggar drop goal.
In the game itself, England raced out to a 12-0 lead at the break on the back of four penalties from Marcus Smith, before Alex Dombrandt’s early second-half try put them in a dominant position.
Wales then launched a ferocious fightback, with tries from Josh Adams and Nick Tompkins putting them in striking distance.
However, England held their nerve in the closing stages despite a last-minute try from Wales’ Kieran Hardy. Eddie Jones would win only three more matches as England coach after the Wales victory – two of which came on a summer tour to Australia.
What is our prediction
This one will be tight, tense and shaped by desperation. The hosts have been poor, and will surely respond after an embarrassing evening at Murrayfield. But England should – just – have enough.
