WITH 956 caps under their belts, Wales boast the big-match knowhow ahead of today’s Six Nations title showdown but it’s the experience of one Test that England hope fuels their Grand Slam challenge at Twickenham.

Warren Gatland takes his side back to the scene of the success that left him beaming with pride on the big screens at either end of the iconic ground in London.

Wales looked doomed when hit by injury in the September showdown with the World Cup hosts only to somehow dig deep for a famous 28-25 victory that, combined with an Australia win the following weekend, sent England crashing out of their own tournament at the group stage.

Eddie Jones has named nine players in his XV who played in the World Cup meeting – full-back Mike Brown, wing Anthony Watson, centre Owen Farrell, scrum-half Ben Youngs, props Joe Marler and Dan Cole and the back row of Chris Robshaw, James Haskell and Billy Vunipola.

Centre Jonathan Joseph was badly missed through injury, fly-half George Ford was overlooked for the more physical Farrell and captain Dylan Hartley was an onlooker after being cut by Lancaster because of a suspension that had expired by then.

Jones is keen to stress that this is a new era and that the October defeat has not be mentioned in camp but make no bones about it, Hartley and his predecessor Robshaw will raise it in his pre-match huddle.

Conversely, the success will give a lift to Sam Warburton & Co, who feel they are in better shape than when they headed over the border last year.

They may not have hit the heights so far this tournament but their title destiny is in their own hands and, as Jamie Roberts said on Tuesday, they have proved that they are the men for the big occasion in Six Nations tussles.

The winners today are almost certain to be crowned champions.

Wales will not slip up against Italy next Saturday while England could even be secure in top spot if they are still chasing a Grand Slam come 6pm and if France come a cropper at Murrayfield tomorrow.

It promises to be a tight affair and Gatland will be drumming home to his players the importance of showing more discipline than they did against Les Bleus, when a high penalty count saw them pinned inside their own 22 for much of the second half, and he will be demanding a strong kick chase to negate two of England’s key runners, full-back Mike Brown and in-form number eight Billy Vunipola.

They have confidence in their defence and believe they have the power to pose problems with ball in hand with Jonathan Davies a welcome presence at 13 after missing the World Cup encounter through injury.

Both sides have ruthless kickers while the benches will come into play; Manu Tuilagi, Mako Vunipola and Joe Launchbury adding power to England while Rhys Webb, Ken Owens, Luke Charteris and Justin Tipuric will add energy for Wales.

In a clash that is likely to be settled by a score, the hero may well be wearing a number higher than 15 on their back.

England: M Brown, A Watson, J Joseph, O Farrell, J Nowell, G Ford, B Youngs, J Marler, D Hartley (captain), D Cole, M Itoje, G Kruis, C Robshaw, J Haskell, B Vunipola. Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, K Brookes, J Launchbury, J Clifford, D Care, M Tuilagi, E Daly

Wales: L Williams, A Cuthbert, J Davies, J Roberts, G North, D Biggar, G Davies, R Evans, S Baldwin, S Lee, B Davies, AW Jones, D Lydiate, S Warburton (captain), T Faletau. Replacements: K Owens, P James, T Francis, L Charteris, J Tipuric, R Webb, R Priestland, G Anscombe

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)