Six Nations 2015: We’re going to target the rookies in England team, says Wales coach Warren Gatland
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Wales coach Warren Gatland has promised to make life as “uncomfortable as possible” for England’s rookies in tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations opener.
Half of England’s starting XV will be making their Millennium Stadium debuts. Stuart Lancaster’s team will have a combined total of 358 Test caps, while the Welsh players have amassed 648 appearances between them.
Gatland is determined to make his side’s experience count.
He said: “We’ve got to use that to our advantage.
“On average we’re a year older in the forwards and the backs and significantly have more experience in terms of caps.
Six Nations 2015: Team Guides
“In the white-hot atmosphere of a full house at the Millennium Stadium, we’ve got to make it as uncomfortable as we can for them.”
Lancaster has had to contend with a lengthy injury list and he will be fielding his 11th different centre combination since taking charge of England.
The midfield of George Ford, Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph have a combined total of 19 caps compared to the Welsh trio of Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies, who have amassed 135 Wales appearances and six Lions Test matches.
Meanwhile, England flanker Tom Wood may still need surgery on the ankle he injured for Northampton against Racing Metro. He is waiting for the latest verdict from a specialist.
