World Cup adds spice to Wales-England clash
Lancaster's England team head to Wales' home ground in Cardiff hunting for first scalp ahead of face-off in September tournament
Wales versus England remains a rugby test match that never fails to whet the appetite and stir emotions, and this year there is the added spice of a World Cup largely on English soil in which the two long-time rivals have been drawn in the same tough pool.
Bragging rights are up for grabs in Friday evening's match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, where 10 years ago Gavin Henson nailed a long-range penalty that handed the Welsh victory over England and opened the way to a first grand slam in 27 years.
After Warren Gatland took over in 2007, the Wales team then went on to clinch grand slams in 2008 and 2012 and the title in 2013, but have been unable to translate that form on a consistent level against the southern hemisphere giants of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
England have so much strength in depth I don't think it matters who they pick
They did manage to edge a weary-looking Springbok team in November, as England beat Australia, nicely setting up today's match as both teams strive to consolidate and build momentum with one eye firmly on the World Cup.
For it is only eight months until Wales and England meet again in their crunch pool match at Twickenham on September 26.
The English arrive in Cardiff ravaged by injuries to key players such as centres Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt and Kyle Eastmond, fly half Owen Farrell, the lock trio of Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes and Geoff Parling, backrowers Tom Wood and Ben Morgan, and prop David Wilson.
Coach Stuart Lancaster named Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph in a new midfield partnership and handed bench recalls to the experienced pair of fly half Danny Cipriani and No 8 Nick Easter.
Prop Dan Cole returns at tighthead having recovered from a foot problem for his first test appearance in almost a year.