Owens: We must start fast or they’ll teach us
KEN Owens has vowed to get stuck into England but warned Wales Eddie Jones’ side will “teach them a lesson” unless they buck up their Six Nations form.
Wales will be looking for a record 12th straight win when they take on the Red Rose, but Owens insists that is far from a given.
Warren Gatland’s men are yet to produce an impressive 80-minute display after overturning an awful first half display to beat France and then edging past Italy with a second string selection.
Owens was rested for the game with the Azzurri, but will return to Gatland’s strongest XV to face England.
“England are a quality team, but so are we,” Lions hooker Owens told The
Rugby Paper. “It will be the top two teams in the Six Nations going at it to maintain an unbeaten record. We know the job in hand. We have got two wins on the road, but we need to improve.
“It’s about getting stuck into them, but if we do not improve I am sure England will come down, play as they have done over the last two games in Cardiff, and will teach us a lesson.”
Wales’ current 11-match winning streak is some achievement, but their Championship form to date is nowhere near that of England who have downed Ireland and blown away an awful France outfit.
In both those games England wing Jonny May has scored within the first few minutes.
Owens added: “England will be our first game at home, so we’ll be looking forward to getting the crowd involved. We need to get the supporters behind us and make England uncomfortable because they haven’t really been in that position in their first two games.
“You want to be on the front foot from minute one in Test rugby. England look for a fast start and to get points on the board early. They’ve spoken about how they’ve picked certain players to get those early scores. For us, it’s about getting out there, starting well, and taking our opportunities.
“It's going to be a tough 80 minutes, which most Test matches are these days, especially if you are playing against quality opposition. England are that. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Wales could see the return of full-back Leigh Halfpenny but they have lost their last four matches to the team in white. They haven’t beaten England in the Six Nations since 2013.
Red Rose coach Jones said the Principality Stadium is no fortress after his team dismantled France, but Owens hopes Wales can come out on top and seal their place in history.
“I’m sure England won’t be coming down with any fear. They’ve won on the last two occasions in Cardiff,” he said. “But we’ve got a good home record recently and hopefully it will be a good day for us.
“I think we’ll be judged by our results in years to come when people start comparing this generation to the 1970’s, the 90’s. All we can do is keep winning and if we do that, then hopefully we will be remembered as not a bad side.”