Pressure on Farrell

England v Wales

Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Date: Saturday, 25 February
Kick-off: 1600 GMT

With the news that Owen Farrell will play at fly half in place of the injured Charlie Hodgson on Saturday and with England wearing the rare tag of 'underdogs' at home, much attention has turned to how England will look to beat the Welsh.

I think the answer is pretty simple, and it won't be dissimilar to the way Scotland have played in the last few seasons - carry the ball through the middle with 2 big centres and kick for position.

If faults can be picked with the way the Wales team are playing at the moment, most criticism would be aimed at their lineout which has been far from secure so far in the tournament.  Ireland persistently disrupted Welsh ball in Dublin and Richie Gray had a field day against Huw Bennetts throwing in the last game against Scotland.

England will look to kick to touch to try and expose that potential weakness.  One huge benefit for the Wales team is the return of talismanic second row forward Alun Wyn-Jones to fold, a man who's presence alone will do huge amounts to settle the nerves of Ken Owens who starts at hooker for the first time in what will be his third cap.

The ever passionate Alun Wyn-Jones

returns to the Welsh team

Of course, to be able to pin the Welsh back like that, Farrell will have to be in very good kicking form.  Used to playing at 10 for Saracens, I doubt he will be phased by the positional change and his goal kicking has been sound following his performance in Rome.  However, thus far in the tournament, he hasn't been relied on a great deal to kick from hand.

With Sam Warburton back, Rhys Priestland in improved health and an in form Jamie Roberts, there will be plenty of Welsh arsenal firing at him on Saturday.

I suspect though that England will look to take the ball through a few phases before they kick to the corners when they can.  The re-introduction of Manu Tuilagi into the centre with equally physical Brad Barritt makes for an intriguing contest against the stalwart pairing of Roberts and Davies and should provide plenty of fireworks.

For Wales, aside form the lineout, they need to keep going as they have so far in the tournament.  The tag of 'favourites' at Twickenham will not sit well with them, and I'm sure Gatland and his men will be keen to ignore that pressure of the expectant.

It should be a cracker, but I can't see Wales losing.  They have only won 17 games away to England in the 5/6 Nations in 57 attempts, and never by more than 13 points.  Believe it or not, this is the best record away to England in the tournaments history and I see them adding to their win column.  By 10 points.