Wales vs. England Betting Tips: Visitors can rub salt in to wounded Wales

There were no guarantees this game would even go ahead earlier this week as the civil war inside Welsh rugby rumbled on. The players were threatening strike action over contractual disputes with the WRU, but a ceasefire has been called and this game will go ahead.

Wales have been comfortably beaten by both Ireland and Scotland so far, while England were shocked by the Scots in the Calcutta Cup before getting back on track by beating Italy. The atmosphere should be amazing in Cardiff now the game has been confirmed but Billy Grimshaw thinks the Red Rose can silence the fans...

There is little doubt that the Principality will be bouncing come kick-off time. Welsh rugby fans, and indeed just the Welsh in general, hate nothing more than the English and love nothing more than beating them in a sport as underdogs. Wales will be desperate to turn this game into a dogfight if they are going to claim the all important win and the crowd being on their side could play a massive part in that. Unfortunately for Wales, however, I just don't see them managing to do it.

England have been clunky so far under Steve Borthwick but they undoubtedly have a superior set of players to their Welsh counterparts and I think they will simply outclass a Welsh outfit who have been through the ringer emotionally this week with the contractual disputes and then will be asked to raise themselves once more when the anthems hit. Wales will want to make the game scrappy but if England can keep things simple and perfect their kicking game, they should be able to assert their dominance and create point scoring chances.

Wales' defence has not been able to contain Ireland (no shame in that) or Scotland (a bit of shame in that) in the Six Nations so far and with England possessing big boppers like Lewis Ludlam, Ellis George and Ollie Lawrence they could once again be torn up through the middle. If England achieve this, they should comfortably clear the -6 line.

Anthony Watson coming in for the injured Ollie Hassall-Collins on the left wing is Borthwick's only change to his starting side from last round's victory over Italy. I expect this change, although enforced due to the knock Hassall-Collins took, to be a positive one for England as Watson, with over 50 Red Rose appearances, can bring some X Factor to the back three. He is an accomplished try-scorer at club and international level and I think there is some juice in backing him to cross the whitewash in Cardiff.

Watson has actually scored a couple of tries in Cardiff. Back in the 2021 Six Nations he notched a five pointer, although England will want to forget that day as it came with a 40-24 defeat. His debut try also came back in 2015 at the then Milennium Stadium where England won an epic game 21-18. Still only 28 Watson is a bit of an old head in this squad but he is still rapid and possesses the finishing ability which marks him out as a big threat.

The Welsh right edge defence hasn't looked great this Championship, although the middle unit is the bigger concern, and so with Watson as big as 2/1 for a try anytime that can be our second tip of the game.