Who never will be a for England

been given that. If I get one this week it will more than make up for that one.”

Anscombe was full-back on that occasion but has the chance today to nail down the No10 jersey for the World Cup after being picked ahead of Dan Biggar for his creativity.

“I’ve been in and out a little bit – probably more than I’d like to have been – but at the same time we have three or four pretty gifted 10s that have different strengths and weaknesses to myself,” said Anscombe.

“From the selectors’ point of view, they are spoilt for choice but I guess it’s down to one of us to really grab the bull by the horns and try to dominate that role as best we can.

“I suppose if we get a victory on Saturday it goes a long way to trying to cement myself.”

The concern for Wales is whether they can come together again and hit the heights they need to after making 10 changes against Italy a fortnight ago.

Their recent record in this fixture is poor. They beat England memorably in the 2015 World Cup but have not claimed that scalp in the Six Nations since 2013.

If Wales lose today, it will set an unwanted national record for successive losses against England in the championship.

Hope springs eternal, though – especially hope backed by 74,500 voices – and Wales are likely to take Eddie Jones’s men to some uncomfortable places this evening. It has the makings of the match of the championship and the pivotal one to its ultimate outcome.

“Whoever wins on Saturday is going to be in a good spot,” said Jones.

LEIGH HALFPENNY will make his comeback after three months out with concussion for Scarlets against the Cheetahs tomorrow.