SM
Brighton vs. Man City: 2 hrs 53 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Six Nations | Group Stage
Feb 23, 2019 at 4.45pm UK
 
Wales
21-13
England
Hill (68'), Adams (78')
FT
Curry (27')

Title clash between Wales and England will include extreme sledging - Williams

:Headline: Title clash between Wales and England will include extreme sledging - Williams: ID:350235: from db_amp
Williams believes that only by shrugging off the inevitable baiting that accompanies such a fierce rivalry can a team thrive.

Shane Williams insists the Guinness Six Nations title clash between Wales and England will be played out against a chorus of "extreme" sledging between the warring players.

The Principality Stadium hosts a seismic showdown between the Championship's only unbeaten sides that will see the winners march on towards the Grand Slam.

Former Wales and Lions wing Williams, who faced England 11 times in a glittering 11-year Test career, believes that only by shrugging off the inevitable baiting that accompanies such a fierce rivalry can a team thrive.

"A lot of these lads will have played together, but that won't matter in Cardiff," said Williams, who is taking part in the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge on behalf of Wooden Spoon.

"They'll know all their little secrets from their time together with the Lions, the nitty gritty.

"I can assure you that for however long that game goes on, Alun Wyn Jones won't shut up. I can vouch for that. Kyle Sinckler likes to talk as well. Owen Farrell doesn't shut up either.

"The banter is going to be extreme, it really is. It's about trying to put off your opposition.

Marauding England prop Kyle Sinckler is vocal on the pitch (Adam Davy/PA)

"A nice little late hit on Owen Farrell a couple of times to try and put him off, as we saw Ross Moriarty do a couple of seasons ago. That didn't work!

"If you can make Owen Farrell miss a couple of kicks, then you've done your job.

"Or if you can pit Alun Wyn Jones off his game, or shut up the likes of Sinckler, then you're doing your job. That's the nature of the beast.

"It's not all physical out there – you have to be mentally tough and be able to take stick. They'll say anything they can to put you off.

Shane Williams says Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will bait England throughout the game (David Davies/PA)

"If you retaliate then it's a yellow or a red card. Thank you very much – I'll have that all day long. I'll take one on the chin for that.

"That's what rugby is and I've experienced it, especially in these big games. But they'll say whatever they want on the field, but as soon as the whistle goes they'll shake hands – and that's rugby."

Three games into his Test career, Williams was given a brutal taste of how effective a taunting opponent can be.

Austin Healey (pictured) was successful at sledging Shane Williams (Toby Melville/PA)

Wales were thrashed 46-12 by England in his debut Six Nations campaign and Williams was unable to ignore the taunts made by opposite number Austin Healey.

"One of my first games was at Twickenham and we got absolutely pummelled," Williams said.

"I was playing against Austin Healey, who didn't shut up for 80 minutes. I remember thinking 'no wonder my family don't like the English if this guy is anything to go by'.

"He completely put me off my game. He absolutely mentally broke me. He really did.

"He was telling me 'come on Williams, I thought you had gas. You're much slower than I thought you'd be'.

"By the end, I was looking at the touchline thinking 'I've had enough now, he's absolutely broken me'. He's like that – he's still chopsy. But it's banter and that's how it goes."

For more information on the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge, or to donate, visit everestrugby.org.uk.

amp_article__350235 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-13 15:11:02:
html db last update - 2021-03-10 11:56:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Shane Williams

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Read more about Shane Williams Rugby Union
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .