If you beat England, it’s an easier trip to the Co-op to buy your milk!

SAM WARBURTON may have seen the Wales-England rivalry become friendlier in recent years, but he has called on his players to make themselves heroes at Twickenham on Saturday. The Lions captain on two tours, who also led Wales for six years as he won 74 caps, is now part of head coach Wayne Pivac’s back-room team. And Warburton is no stranger to the white-hot atmosphere of the cross-border clash. Having

won twice at Twickenham, in 2012 and at the 2015 World Cup, Warburton wants his squad to follow his example. ‘There are great memories going to Twickenham and hopefully we can replicate them,’ he said. ‘If the boys do get a win, it will be one of the highlights of their careers. It’s a fantastic place to go. I always got on really well

with the England boys on the Lions tour. I know that’s not what Welsh fans want to hear — they want to hear of a huge rivalry. But I really liked the English lads. ‘Rather than the personal rivalries, the players get energised over the history of the game and the occasion. ‘That does mean a lot. To

represent Wales at Twickenham and get a win down there is massive and you know how much it means to the country. ‘It’s a much easier trip to the Co-op to get your milk because everyone is so happy,’ added Warburton (left). ‘As players we all know each other, so the personal

rivalry has gone, but the national rivalry is still there. ‘I remember in 2012 when we won, Ryan Jones told me, Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau to enjoy it because away wins at Twickenham are rare. ‘I thought, “Ah, don’t worry, we’ll come back and do this again”. But you learn the hard way that it’s a tough place to go. ‘I’ve always thought it was my favourite place to play outside our own stadium. ‘People who say Twickenham

has a bad atmosphere have not been there. ‘It’s brilliant, particularly when the Welsh fans go down and it becomes a competition of who can be the loudest.’ Warburton delivered positive injury updates on Dan Biggar, George North, Josh Navidi and Liam Williams, who are all fit. Biggar went off early for Northampton against Saracens on Saturday having hyper-extended a knee, but Wales will give him every

chance to start the big match at Twickenham. ‘At this stage, we’re confident,’ said Warburton. ‘They would wait for a player like Dan. It puts our team selection on hold for a while because we have to wait to see how he turns up. He’s ticking all the boxes.’ After a head-knock against France, North is expected to play, as are Williams and flanker Navidi, who has had hamstring trouble.