No home comfort as England seek unlikely runaway victory in Cardiff

MIKE Catt admits England will face a “massive challenge” at the Millennium Stadium today as they prepare to exit their comfort zone.

England’s last four Test wins — against South Africa, Scotland, Italy and France — all came at Twickenham. And their away form has become a cause for concern, having suffered five straight defeats on the road, stretching back to last February.

They have arrived in Cardiff for an appointment with a Wales side hell-bent on victory to avoid the embarrassment of an RBS Six Nations Championship whitewash just two years after they were crowned Grand Slam champions.

England received a considerable confidence boost by ending French Grand Slam hopes last weekend, but Wales will provide a severe examination for the likes of youngsters Toby Flood, Mathew Tait and flanker James Haskell, who makes his international debut in an all-Wasps back row.

Skipper Catt said: “It is going to be very tough, but we need these type of massive challenges. We are getting ourselves out of our comfort zone at Twickenham, and we will soon see whether, as a group of players, we can handle these situations.”

Catt allayed any lingering fears about his fitness after taking a full part in today’s Millennium Stadium team run.

His training has been restricted this week due to a hamstring problem, but he will lead an England side which goes into battle with an outside chance of securing Six Nations silverware.

If Ireland and France win as expected, against respective opponents Italy and Scotland tomorrow, England will require an unlikely landslide triumph to pinch the title on points difference.

Catt added: “We have got to stick with what we are good at. I really hope we string together another performance that we can be proud of.

“This is a brand-new 80 minutes ahead of us, and it is important we maintain our performance and build on it from last week.

“Wales will be competitive, and they will not let us get on to the front foot. They will be fired up to the brim.

“It is going to be a great occasion.”

England head coach Brian Ashton insists there has been no title talk within the England camp this week, and agrees that something approaching a 40-point victory is unlikely.

Ashton said: “The best part of our performance against France last week was the way a reorganised pack took the French full-on, and we have got to have the foundation and platform up front.

“Winning is the key thing, and to win away from home would be fantastic for us.”