Jones well aware of pitfalls at the Principality

ENGLAND and Wales know the risks, but they won’t be holding back. One side will seek to storm a fortress in Cardiff, the other defend it with pride and passion.

The threat of further damage, at the worst possible time, hangs heavy. But those taking part can’t afford to let it impact on what they do. There will be an almighty elephant in the room at the Principality Stadium as these rivals lock horns again, six days after the English beat the Welsh 33-19 at Twickenham. It’s the doomsday scenario of more serious injuries ending World Cup dreams, which is what happened to Gareth Anscombe last Sunday. Wales’ first-choice fly-half hurt his knee so badly he will not only miss the global showpiece in Japan but the whole season. There is no magic solution to avoid such cruel misfortune. No one wants to go the same way as Anscombe, but they can’t be shielded.

England have several players carrying minor injuries at present, or recovering from surgery — Mako Vunipola and Jack Nowell, Henry Slade and Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Mark Wilson. Asked if he worries about losing a key player, coach Eddie Jones said: ‘No. You’ve just got to get on with it. It’s the risk you take. ‘You can put them in cotton wool and not be ready for the World Cup. It’d be easy to have nice camps in Treviso and not play games. You get them all there fit, but not ready to play rugby.

‘A boxer’s got to box. A rugby player’s got to play rugby. There’s a risk involved. If they get injured, you feel for the player and then look to see who the next best is. ‘With a squad of 31, we need four (warm-up) games to get the necessary game time for everyone.’ Kick-off: 2.15pm Principality Stadium. LIVE on Sky Sports and Channel 4.