Six Nations: Tough test awaits England against Wales in Cardiff

England are to field what is a relatively inexperienced, though nonetheless potentially exciting 15; crucially it will be elder statesmen James Haskell (recalled to the side) and captain Chris Robshaw who will provide the calming influence. They are 9/1 and 11/1 respectively to score at try anytime.

However, in George Ford, Jonny May, Anthony Watson, George Kruis and Jonathan Joseph, the visitors have an exceptional crop of young talent. No test is more daunting than a trip to the Millennium Stadium to face an impressive Welsh side.

Fly half Ford is going from strength to strength for England and he will have identified this as the game that he really steps up. His combination play with Ben Youngs will be crucial, and the pairing are key to making England tick. With the recently recalled Danny Cipriani set to be named on the bench, England actually have deceptive strength in depth.

The best chances of scoring from Stuart Lancaster’s side will come from speedsters May and Joseph, who are 10/1 and 14/1 respectively to breach the in-goal are first.

This may be the opening match, but it could well decide the title. Whichever team keeps their cool in the heat will finish victorious.

Wales: 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Alex Cuthbert, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-George North, 10-Dan Biggar, 9-Rhys Webb; 1-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Richard Hibbard, 3-Sampson Lee, 4-Jake Ball, 5-Alun-Wyn Jones, 6-Dan Lydiate, 7-Sam Warburton, 8-Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: 16-Scott Baldwin, 17-Paul James, 18-Aaron Jarvis, 19-Luke Charteris, 20-Justin Tipuric, 21-Mike Phillips, 22-Rhys Priestland, 23-Liam Williams.

England: 15-Mike Brown, 14-Anthony Watson, 13-Jonathan Joseph, 12-Luther Burrell, 11-Jonny May, 10-George Ford, 9-Ben Youngs-; 1-Joe Marler, 2-Dylan Hartley, 3-Dan Cole, 4-Dave Attwood, 5-George Kruis, 6-James Haskell, 7-Chris Robshaw (captain), 8-Billy Vunipola
Replacements: 16-Tom Youngs, 17-Mako Vunipola, 18-Kieran Brookes, 19-Tom Croft, 20-Nick Easter, 21-Richard Wigglesworth, 22-Danny Cipriani, 23-Billy Twelvetrees

*Please note; all odds were correct at time of publication.