ENGLAND are set to call for an explosive number eight for Saturday’s Triple Crown showdown, but Wales’ very own dynamic ball carrier will be giving them some sleepless nights, according to his back row teammate.

Coach Stuart Lancaster is being tipped to hand a first start to Ben Morgan for the clash at Twicken-ham after the Scarlets number eight produced a pair of impressive cameos off the bench in England wins against Scotland and Italy.

The barnstorming Bristol-born back rower has impressed since bursting onto the scene with the west Walians and could even have been turning out for Warren Gatland’s side after qualifying through residency.

That would have provided an intriguing battle for the red number eight jersey between Morgan and Newport Gwent Dragons star Toby Faletau.

Instead, the pair will be in direct competition at Twickenham and blindside flanker Dan Lydiate is sure his regional and international colleague has been a hot topic of conversation at England’s Surrey base this week.

“People talk about stopping Ben Morgan but I am sure England are having the same discussions about Toby Faletau,” said the blindside flanker.

“Every back row you come up against these days usually has one massive ball carrier. Just going off past experience against South Africa in the World Cup and Ireland, they had three.

“We know that the threats are coming and it’s up to us to stop them. It’s a massive test and I am really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a really physical game and they will go out all guns blazing at home.

“I have never played against Ben Morgan but I am well aware of his capabilities, he is a massive ball carrier and can shift for a big guy. He is a potent threat off the base of the scrum so our job is to nullify his go-forward.”

Lydiate heads into the game on the back of a man of the match performance against Scotland (his medal has pride of place at his parents’ farm in mid-Wales) and is eyeing a victory that would secure the first silverware of his professional career.

And he is relishing the chance to join forces again with the man who could be lifting the Triple Crown shield aloft come 6pm.

Lydiate missed the win in Ireland with an ankle injury while captain Sam Warburton was ruled out of the success against Scotland by a blow to his leg, denying Gatland the chance to reunite a trio that excelled at the World Cup.

“I am really looking forward to playing with Sam and Toby against because it will be a really good battle with the England back row,” said Lydiate.

“Tom Croft is very quick if you give him any space at all, as he showed with the British Lions in South Africa, while he is also a superb lineout option.

“Chris Robshaw has been playing well as captain and is almost a six playing seven – he’s big, abrasive, tackles hard and carries.

“Then they have Ben Morgan, so I am sure it will be a tough old battle and I am sure they will be frothing at the mouth as much as we are.

“We hope to chop them down and give Sam a bit of time on the ball to do what he is good at and hopefully turn their attack into ours.

“They will be fully aware of Sam’s threat and they will be paying special attention to him at the breakdown, which is good because it frees up people like Gethin Jenkins or one of us to sneak in.”