Billy Vunipola v Taulupe Faletau will ‘get the ground shaking’

Wales hooker Ken Owens believes that rival number eight powerhouses Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau could “get the ground shaking” at Twickenham next week.

Many gripping individual battles are anticipated when unbeaten title rivals England and Wales go head to head in an encounter that should play a major role towards deciding this season’s RBS 6 Nations title destiny.

But none more so than in the back row, where England’s Vunipola and Wales star Faletau — the cousins who grew up together in Pontypool — look set for an immense contest.

They are among the form players in this season’s Six Nations, with statistics emphatically backing up their exploits.

Vunipola made a staggering 58 carries across England’s wins against Scotland, Italy and Ireland, in addition to completing 27 successful tackles.

Faletau, meanwhile, has 27 carries to his name, but the Newport Gwent Dragons forward completed 51 tackles during Wales’ Six Nations appointments with Ireland, Scotland and France — and missed just two.

Their individual performances are likely to be major contributory factors as to which team emerges victorious in 11 days’ time, with England unbeaten under new head coach Eddie Jones and Wales targeting a fourth Six Nations title of Warren Gatland’s coaching reign, which they would achieve by beating England and then Italy a week later.

“They have played against each other plenty of times now,” Owens said.

“A lot has been made of Billy’s carrying, and Toby (Faletau) has been absolutely phenomenal in defence.

“It will be an interesting battle that could get the ground shaking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Toby have a bad game.”

Wales’ most recent encounter against England produced a 28-25 World Cup pool victory at Twickenham last autumn but England have improved since.