Lancaster says his players will deliver

RBE 6 NATIONS:

George North, Sam Warburton, Jonathan Davies, Alex Cuthbert, Dan Lydiate and Jake Ball could be lining up for the Red Rose in the key Six Nations title showdown.

Apart from Ball, they are each British and Irish Lions who were involved in last summer’s triumphant Test series against Australia. Adding to the English influence in the Welsh camp is that Shaun Edwards is an assistant to head coach Warren Gatland and Josh Lewsey is the principality’s head of rugby.

England have claimed No 8 Ben Morgan, who had the option of turning out for Wales, as one of their own and Lancaster is happy with the options available to him.

“I’m pretty certain that those guys are committed to the Welsh cause in the same way Ben Morgan went to Wales but is committed to us,” Lancaster said.

“We have enough depth and talent in our country.”

However, the England coach was bullish about his side’s chances, claiming they are poised to deliver in the biggest match of his two-year reign.

Victory over the reigning champions would secure a first Triple Crown since 2003 and propel England into Six Nations title contention when they face Italy in Rome on the final day of the championship.

It would also land a telling psychological blow ahead of the rivals’ Twickenham showdown in the pool stage of the 2015 World Cup, with tomorrow marking Wales’ final visit to the venue before that meeting.

“It’s a big game and we need to make sure we deliver on the field,” Lancaster said.

“All the talking is fine, it’s the team that delivers on the day that matters. It will be a tough game, but we’re ready.

“I understand all the context around this particular game with the World Cup coming and the importance of getting a win, but I still believe the best team on the day wins.

“We play Wales twice before the World Cup and Wales play Australia [who share Group A with England and Wales], so I’m sure, psychologically, there will be some things there.”

Meanwhile, Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has underlined the performance demands his side will be under tomorrow.

Wales are seeking a fourth successive victory over their traditionally fiercest rivals, and they have not conceded a try against them since Manu Tuilagi’s World Cup warm-up touchdown on August 6, 2011.

“It is a Triple Crown [game] for them, and it is a game we want to win to stay in the championship,” he said.

“We’ve spoken coming into this championship about winning three [titles] in a row.”

“In normal games of this magnitude your performance has to go up 10-15%, and an experienced team is hopefully able to go to that 10 or 15% because you have been there before.

“This group of players has been together for a period of time now. They have played and won away from home, and that obviously gives you confidence.

“I keep talking about the Six Nations and the results over the last three rounds. It’s all on the day.

“It is a totally different game one week to the next, and I suppose it is the side that gains momentum, and then under that pressure of the cauldron of Twickenham is able to continue the momentum.

“I am sure the atmosphere is going to be similar to last year [Wales won by a record 30-3 scoreline in Cardiff], but very much England-loaded.

“As players we have to deal with that, and the more experience you have of going away and winning, hopefully you become automated and are able to switch off that outside influence and be very tunnel-visioned in terms of your skill-set, technically and tactically.”