MX23RW : Sunday, December 29 03:19:42| >> :600:1839797:1839797:
Six Nations | Group Stage
Mar 7, 2020 at 4.45pm UK
 
England
33-30
Wales
Watson (4'), Daly (32'), Tuilagi (61')
FT
Tipuric (41', 80'), Biggar (78')

Wayne Pivac confident of "big performance" from Wales against England

Wayne Pivac confident of
© Reuters
England have not been beaten at home by Wales in the Six Nations since 2012.

Wayne Pivac feels "a big performance is coming" from his Wales players thanks to an increase in training intensity ahead of tackling England at Twickenham.

Wales' Guinness Six Nations title hopes effectively disappeared on the back of successive losses to Ireland and France.

They have not suffered three defeats on the bounce in one Six Nations campaign since 2007, while it is eight years since they claimed an away win against England in the tournament.

Wales have suffered back-to-back defeats
Wales have suffered back-to-back defeats (David Davies/PA)

It promises to be the toughest assignment of Wales' Six Nations campaign so far, but head coach Pivac is relishing the challenge on Saturday.

"You've only got to listen to (Wales captain) Alun Wyn (Jones) during the week," Pivac said.

"The intensity is there in his voice and everything he's done in training. He has led from the front.

"The level of intensity has noticeably gone up in training, certainly in the live stuff, and it has been no holds barred.

"No one has been holding back. That tells me a big performance is coming.

"Clearly, they (England) have got a great record there – one we respect and one which tells us we will have to be at the peak of our powers and play well to win.

"With my background coming from New Zealand, we look at England like the Welsh do.

"They are a strong team, one of the world leaders and a very capable team, as we saw at the World Cup against the All Blacks and last week against Ireland.

"They put away two of the top teams in the world comfortably. There is a healthy respect, but it's a game we are looking forward to – me included."

Pivac has made four changes from the side beaten by France 12 days ago, calling up wing Liam Williams, scrum-half Tomos Williams, prop Rob Evans and number eight Josh Navidi.

Navidi's selection ahead of 75 times-capped Taulupe Faletau is particularly eye-catching, with the Cardiff Blues player having recovered from a hamstring injury to make a first competitive appearance since mid-January.

Pivac added: "Josh Navidi is a fantastic player over the ball. The breakdown work that he does, his defensive work and ball-carrying.

"When he played for Wales against New Zealand (in 2017), Steve Hansen (then All Blacks coach) asked who he was because he was so impressed with him.

"He is a tough character and is someone that puts a lot of pressure on the opposition.

"If you look at the Six Nations match last year (against England), he played a massive role in that win for Wales and he plays well in big games.

"I touched on that All Blacks game a few years back. He has stood up and played in some very big matches for us, so we are confident he can do that again."

ID:391982: cacheID:391982:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6848:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liam Williams during a Wales training session on January 31, 2019
Read Next:
Liam Williams returns from four-month layoff for Wales' clash with England
>
Read more about Wayne Pivac Rugby Union
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Cardinals
@
Rams
6pm
Jets
@
Bills
6pm
Panthers
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Colts
@
Giants
6pm
Titans
@
Jags
6pm
Raiders
@
Saints
6pm
Packers
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Browns
9.25pm
Cowboys
@
Eagles


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!