The four players England need to step up against Wales in crucial Six Nations clash

Six Nations: England train ahead of Wales clash

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England go into Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with Wales hoping to seal a third win over their rivals since the beginning of last year. Eddie Jones’ men will need to be on top form at the Principality Stadium, with Wales boasting a perfect record from their Six Nations campaign so far after victories over Ireland and Scotland.

Express Sport takes a look at four players that could be crucial to England’s hopes of following up their second-round thrashing of Italy with a much-needed result in Cardiff.

Billy Vunipola

The 28-year-old has come under fire in recent weeks after looking rusty in the back row, with England’s defeat to Scotland on the opening day a match to forget for the Saracens forward.

His lack of quality performances have led to claims that he is being picked by Jones on reputation and not current form.

Vunipola seems to have emerged as his own harshest critic, admitting earlier this week that he has been ‘rubbish’ and claiming that he needs to find his feet again in rapid fashion.

When firing on all cylinders he can be a formidable opponent for any side in the world, and Jones will be hoping he can recapture his form of old against Wales to maximise England’s chances of another win on enemy turf.

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Owen Farrell

When Farrell plays well, England seem to play well, and this is likely to be the case once more on Saturday afternoon.

Like many of his Saracens team-mates, he appears to have been lacking match sharpness as of late, with the London side’s RFU Championship campaign still yet to get underway as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether at fly-half or inside centre, the England skipper has been regarded as a world-class player for some time, with his prolific kicking game often proving the difference between victory and defeat.

He will be required to match Dan Biggar’s success with the boot in order to decide the result once again, but also needs to keep a lid on his discipline and avoid those characteristic shoulder hits to buck the trend of Welsh opponents receiving red cards in this year’s tournament.

Elliot Daly

Full-back Daly is preparing to make his 50th appearance for England in Cardiff, and will be looking to mark the occasion with another solid performance as the last line of defence.

He was influential in the same fixture four years ago, scoring a vital match-winning try to help England eventually clinch the Six Nations title.

The 28-year-old admitted earlier this month that his side are far from the finished article but should never be counted out, with huge improvements visible against Italy when compared to the disappointment of losing to Scotland in their first match.

Another one of Jones’ senior players, his performance will be influential to England keeping their title hopes alive with a win over a spirited Wales side.

Ben Youngs

The veteran scrum-half will need to roll back the years to provide England with a strong chance of victory.

After becoming a Test centurion in last year’s championship-clinching win over Italy, a game in which he scored two tries either side of half-time, Youngs will be expected to use his experience to outfox the Welsh when moving the ball and dictating the direction of his team’s attack.

With the hosts likely to aim for free-flowing rugby along the back line given their talent in midfield and out wide, the England star’s decision-making ability and speed at the breakdown will be required to let Jones’ men play their own game when in possession.

Youngs seems likely to be a part of the national setup for years to come despite his age, and will be hopeful of producing yet another match-winning performance at the Principality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

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