Form no factor when facing Wales - Wood
BACK row Test veteran Tom Wood has warned England that their scintillating form will count for little when they step into the Dragons den against Wales this Saturday.
While Eddie Jones’ side head to Cardiff as favourites on the back of convincing victories over Ireland and France, Wales have ground out wins over France and Italy.
Though twice a winner in Cardiff with England in 2011 and 2017, Wood plumbed the depths there in 2013 when, with a Grand Slam seemingly within their grasp, Stuart Lancaster’s Red Rose outfit wilted in the face of a sustained show of Welsh passion. Wood told The Rugby
Paper: “England have got a well-rounded game at the moment with big ball-carriers like Billy Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi going well. Johnny May’s on fire and Henry Slade’s proving he’s a very clever player.
“Ireland were favourites in Dublin but England had enjoyed a good autumn and that game showed that, whether it’s complacency or not, a couple of percentage points in performance either way can have huge consequences on the flow of these Test matches.
“England are flying after beating France but it could easily flow the other way against Wales if we take our foot off it for a second – and that’s the big challenge they face.
“I was lucky enough to make my debut in Cardiff, when we won 26-19 in 2011, and to this day it’s one of the best games and occasions I’ve been part of. Two years later, though, we went to Cardiff with a Grand Slam on the line and fell spectacularly short.”
Wood reflected: “It shows what can happen because we’d been on fire during that series; we were doing everything right, and it looked for all money it would be our Grand Slam because Wales had been pretty poor, without much form at all really.
“They’d won a few games to stay in contention but Sam Warburton’s captaincy was being questioned and he was struggling to stay in the team. Then they came out against England, at home in Cardiff, and played the game of their lives to blow us away, 30-3.
“On the back of that their whole squad made the Lions and there was a huge feelgood for them, while for us it was a massive low point. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Wales in this Six Nations so far so that’s what England have to prepare themselves for.”
While Wood, 32, has not given up hope of adding to his 50 England caps, the last of which came against Ireland in 2017, he knows his chances are receding.
Wood, who missed the tour of Argentina that year due to suspension for a stamping offence in Northampton’s last game of the season, said: “I paid a heavy price for what was an accident but if I can stay fit and play well, I still feel there is a chance.
“I’m a massive fan of Mark Wilson and Tom Curry’s been outstanding, while there are other guys currently in the frame as well, but you’re only ever a couple of injuries away from consideration and with the versality I’ve got, I certainly won’t give up.
“It is disappoint- ing to miss out, especially when you see them playing well and playing in such a brutal style, which I’d love to be involved in. “It certainly makes you hunger for it but all I can do is go about my business for Northampton and be ready.” Whether long-serving Wood remains at Saints next season has yet to be decided. He added: “I’m out of contract and staying here would be preferential. “Hopefully things can be resolved quickly because I’ve no intention of retiring or going down the leagues.”