OUT TO GAT MAY
Tindall’s fear
MIKE TINDALL expects Warren Gatland to devise a special plan aimed at stopping red-hot Jonny May running amok in Cardiff.
But the former England star insists Wales boss Gats has his work cut out putting the brakes on England’s lightning-quick Leicester wing.
Twelve tries in as many Tests, including the 29-minute hat-trick in the 44-8 hammering of the French, has turned May into Eddie Jones’ most lethal weapon.
The Swindon-born speedster, 28, is also building a reputation as the fastest gun in the Six Nations town thanks to damaging early strikes against Ireland and France which laid the foundations for two Six Nations successes.
On Saturday, May and Co ride into the Valleys aiming to silence a hostile Welsh crowd and ensure England take another stride towards Grand Slam glory.
Tindall expects more of the same and said: “Jonny is on fire at the moment and hopefully that will continue in Cardiff.
“He is rapidly becoming a banker for anyone sticking a few pounds on the first try-scorer market. You just know now England will try and utilise his speed as soon as possible.
“Mind you, I expect Gatland will be making plans to stop Wales falling into the same trap as the Irish and French did.
“Gats is one of the world’s top coaches and won’t sit back and wait for England to try and strike it quick a third time.
“But whether he does it in the first minute or the last, it’s one thing trying to stop Jonny and another actually doing it. He is a very awkward customer, not just because of his speed but his quick feet.
“Jonny has always been fast but he is religious in terms of how much he works on it. He went away to a sprint camp in America last year and that was in his down time.
“On top of that he has unbelievable footwork. For his second try he rounded French wing Damian Penaud, who was their best player, like a kipper. He stood him up and smoked him.”
Wales will set a new record run of 12 successive Test victories if they beat England at the Principality Stadium on Saturday. And Jones attempted to turn up the pressure on Gatland’s men by suggesting they were “the best Welsh side ever”.
Tindall said: “Eddie likes throwing his hand grenades. It’s the mind games he plays so well.
“He is going on Welsh statistics in terms of their winning run but it’s just tongue in cheek. Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, JPR Williams may have something to say about that.”
One thing Tindall is sure of is a hostile reception waiting for Jones’ men in the Welsh capital.
He said: “It’s always tough going to Cardiff for any England side.
“It’s a 4.45pm kick-off so plenty of time for the home supporters to get into the pubs and get some fuel down them.
“The atmosphere will be on fire and the Welsh will be making it as hostile as possible. It always is when the English are due to arrive.”