Stephen Ferris expects England to be too powerful for Wales
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Former Ireland international Stephen Ferris looks at the weekend’s Six Nations matches and gives us his best bets for all three games.
Click on the links for the Scotland v France and Ireland v Italy games.
England vs Wales (Sat, 16.45, ITV)
Arguably the biggest game and biggest grudge match of the Six Nations Championship will be played on Saturday afternoon. England are 13-point favourites on the handicap, and with a number of changes from their last game, I must admit the team does look a little stronger.
Courtney Lawes at six adds vast experience but also a lot of grunt. He is a hard hitter and should really add an edge to the English back row. Harry Randall and Marcus Smith start for only the second time together in an English jersey, and the two lads are all action from the first minute.
Trying to keep a high intensity they will be hoping to pull the Welsh defence apart with their tempo and accuracy. Smith v Dan Biggar, I can’t wait for that.
Yes, the Welsh captain more or less finished the game against Scotland on one leg, but by god what a performance. He is ruthless with his kicking game and without Biggar they really would be snookered.
Wales are still a little lightweight in the pack in my opinion and if the men wearing the Red Rose smell blood early on it could be a long afternoon for the Welsh. Scotland’s power didn’t really trouble Wales in round two, but this week is going to be a completely different ball game.
