London – Wales will be motivated by their hatred of England when the sides face off in Sunday's Six Nations showdown at Twickenham, according to English wing Jack Nowell.
England are bidding to avenge last year's 30-3 loss to Wales, which enabled Warren Gatland's side to secure the title, and defeat would likely be fatal to either team's hopes of winning this year’s championship.
Nowell played for the England team that beat Wales in 2013’s junior World Cup final and says that he will know what to expect from the Welsh when he makes his first senior appearance against them on Sunday.
“I loved winning that tournament. We fell behind in the first half and a few things didn't go well for us, but obviously it was nice to come back in the end and get the win,” Nowell said.
“We're going out to play against a team that hate you and want to do anything to beat you up or beat you in the game.”
England scrum-half Danny Care agrees that the rivalry between the two teams is underpinned by genuine dislike, but he believes that his side are ready to cope with the hostility that Wales will throw at them.
“You know when you play Wales that they don’t like you, which you get used to as an England player. You relish that and look forward to the challenge,” he said.
“Any time you play for England it's a great feeling, but with the Welsh you know they are coming for a battle. We are up for the challenge and looking forward to it.”
Care also revealed that England head coach Stuart Lancaster has been actively seeking to increase his players' sense of pride about representing their country.
“You hear a lot about how proud Ireland, Wales and Scotland are and we kind of get forgotten. I think we are an unbelievably proud country,” Care told reporters during a sponsorship event.
“Obviously Stuart has done a lot of stuff to reconnect everyone with grassroots rugby and see the heritage side of things, the lads who have played before us in the shirt and gave their lives in the war.
“We have gone on that journey, looked at stuff like that and seen how much it means to people still.
“We are playing for them and playing for the whole country. We are incredibly proud of putting on the England shirt and running out at Twickenham.” – Sapa-AFP.