by It was the year 2000, and Lawrence Dallaglio found himself standing pitchside at St Helen’s, reflecting on the aftermath of Swansea RFC’s dominant 54-28 win over Wasps in the European Cup. Despite the defeat, Dallaglio was taking his time, addressing a flurry of media interviews, posing for the cameras, and even signing a T-shirt emblazoned with the cheeky slogan, “You Can Stick Your Chariot Up You’re A*** – Wembley ’99.”
While the anatomical feasibility of such a message was questionable, it was clear that in the world of Wales-England rugby rivalries, such nuances rarely mattered.
For Welsh fans, the clash with their old adversaries, England, was the fixture that commanded the most attention. While it might be an exaggeration to say that, given the choice of four wins and one loss versus four losses and one victory, the outcome would be considered a draw in a national referendum, it nonetheless held undeniable significance. Beating the English team was always a source of immense pride for the Welsh, as it was a way of asserting dominance over their larger neighbor.
The rivalry, however, wasn’t one-sided. The England players, too, held the annual match against Wales in high regard. Peter Winterbottom reminisced about the 1991 Wales-England clash, recalling a breakfast moment with Wade Dooley, who was reading The Telegraph. He pointed out an article with a headline stating: “19-year-old debutant fly-half says playing England is just another game.” The interview subject was none other than Neil Jenkins. For many in England, the Wales-England match was far more than just another game; it was a contest of national pride and identity.
Six Nations Preview: Wales vs England – March 2025
In the year 2000, Lawrence Dallaglio stood on the touchline at St Helen’s, reflecting on the aftermath of Swansea RFC’s 54-28 triumph over Wasps in the European Cup. Instead of making a quick exit, the England No. 8 handled media interviews, posed for photos, and even signed a T-shirt with the cheeky slogan: “You Can Stick Your Chariot Up You’re A*** – Wembley ’99.”
While the anatomical feasibility of such a slogan was clearly in question, this moment illustrated the intense passion and rivalry that defines Welsh and English rugby. The battle between these two nations has always been more than just a match—it’s an event steeped in national pride and history.
For Welsh fans, the game against England is the one that matters most. It’s the fixture circled in red on the calendar, a chance to take down the old enemy. Though it might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that, in a hypothetical choice between four wins and one loss versus four losses and one win, the outcome would be considered equally valid, there’s no denying how much a Welsh victory over England means. It’s a moment to hold their heads high, especially when taking down a larger neighbor.
But, of course, England’s players understand the significance as well. Peter Winterbottom recalled the 1991 Wales-England clash, remembering a moment with Wade Dooley, who was reading The Telegraph. The headline read: “19-year-old debutant fly-half says playing England is just another game.” The interview subject was none other than Neil Jenkins. Wade Dooley, unimpressed, turned to the others and said, “We’ll see about that then, won’t we?”
Wales v England has never been just another game, and it won’t be on Saturday, when Steve brings his team to Cardiff.
Wales and England’s rivalry runs deep, and it’s personal for many. I still recall my own memories of watching Wales play England in Cardiff back in 1967, when Wales needed a win to avoid a Five Nations whitewash. The atmosphere in our home was one of resignation—my father believed there would only be one winner, and it wasn’t going to be Wales. But to everyone’s surprise, Wales pulled off a victory. Keith Jarrett, the new full-back, became the hero after racing 75 yards to score a sensational try, which was hailed by Bill McLaren as “a remarkable try.”
The impact of that win was evident across Wales. Legend has it that a local bus company went the extra mile, instructing a driver to bring a double-decker bus for Keith Jarrett, possibly with a special upstairs section for him to smoke. At home, the room erupted with cheers—such emotion was rare and special. For me as a young child, it was a revelation: the passion and pride of the occasion were palpable.
The Wales-England clash has never been “just another game,” and it certainly won’t be on Saturday when Steve Borthwick’s England team arrives in Cardiff. However, Wales will need to improve significantly if they are to halt their current losing streak against England, which now stands at 16 defeats in a row. Coach Matt Sherratt will have spent the week reinforcing this crucial message after a lackluster performance from his side against Scotland.
Where should Wales start? One key area will be their kicking strategy. Allowing the ball to be kicked loosely to dangerous backs like Blair Kinghorn, Duhan van der Merwe, and Darcy Graham is equivalent to giving Ben Stokes easy delivery on a good day in cricket—an invitation for disaster. If Wales make the same mistakes against England, they will find themselves in deep trouble once again.
The starting half-backs, Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe, struggled to make their mark in the game, with their kicking often lacking direction—whether too long, too short, or simply off target. This inconsistency in their kicking game was compounded by a lack of accuracy in other areas, as Wales only managed to claim a meager 35 percent of the territory. While their defensive work may have been solid at times, it was clear that Wales made things harder for themselves with an inability to consistently secure advantageous field positions.
And then there’s the question of the first 50 minutes. Was there really any excuse for Wales failing to show up during that period, with a few notable exceptions? Ross Moriarty and Taulupe Faletau were standout performers—both outstanding and both worthy of Lions consideration this summer. However, for too many others, the game only seemed to begin when it was already too late.
Another key issue is the speed of Wales’ ruck. In a competition where the best teams, such as Ireland, France, and Scotland, recycle the ball quickly—sometimes in under three seconds—Wales are lagging behind, with their ruck speed sitting at just 42 percent. This slower ball allows opposing defenses time to reset and organize. Imagine how much more dangerous someone like Jarrod Evans could be if Wales provided quicker ball from the breakdown. It’s a simple yet crucial aspect of their play that needs urgent attention if they are to challenge the top sides effectively.
