Proudfoot says England pack are primed for powerful Wales challenge in Cardiff
England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot will have his pack fired up for Saturday's collision with Wales as he looks to settle his own score in Cardiff.
The champions face a pivotal moment in the Guinness Six Nations when they head to the Principality Stadium, knowing a second defeat of the tournament would effectively end their title defence.
Only Wales and France can still win the Grand Slam and, after a wretched 2020 when they went on a six-test losing run, Wayne Pivac's team have been rejuvenated by victories over Ireland and Scotland.
Former Scotland international prop Proudfoot's aim of a successful trip across the Severn Bridge is given added gravity by his poor record in Cardiff when acting as South Africa's forwards coach from 2016-19.
"What more do you say about Alun Wyn Jones? And Justin Tipuric is an exceptional rugby player," Proudfoot said.
"We understand the challenge. I have coached for four years against Wales and never beaten them, so I understand how tough they are up front.
"With South Africa we went there four times and lost four times,sothat'ssomethingthat sits in the back of my head.
"I know how well our pack has got to play and how intense they have got to be in the collision area to keep our foot in the competition against Wales."
England have adjusted their approach in training as they look to crank up the ferocity levels against Wales, knowing an improvement on the opening rounds against Scotland and Italy is essential. The plan is to dominate from the start.
"I think that is definitely the mindset we have created in training. It's definitely the mindset the players have shown throughout the week, so I expect them to bring that," Proudfoot said.
"That is something English packs are known for and I'm sure that's what we will be bringing this week.
"We improved a bit from the Scottish game to the Italian game, but our competitiveness will need to improve.
"Structurally we were better, I just think competitively we will need to improve to take on the intensity and the challenge that the Welsh side will bring us."
The revised formats for this season’s Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup have been revealed.
Edinburgh will play in the last 16 of the former, while Glasgow Warriors will be in the draw for the same stage of the latter.
Both tournaments will resume on the weekend of April 2/3/4 and the knockout stages will continue in April and May with quarter-finals, semi-finals and the two finals, which will both take place in Marseille. The draw for the knockout stages will take place on Tuesday March 9.
The group phase of the two tournaments had to be cut short in the autumn due to outbreaks of coronavirus at several clubs which caused matches to be cancelled.
The competitions have now been revamped, with a round of 16 added. Teams who won their two group games are to be rewarded with a home tie in the first knockout round. Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh won one and lost one.
Glasgow Warriors lost to Exeter Chiefs in their opening Champions Cup match and were then forced to forfeit their next match against Lyon due to a Covid-19 outbreak. Danny Wilson’s side now drop into the Challenge Cup last 16.
A statement from organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) said: “Regarding the Heineken Champions Cup, the eight highest-ranked clubs in Pool A and the eight highest-ranked clubs in Pool B at the time of the suspension of the tournament have qualified for the Round of 16.
“For the purposes of the draw, clubs from the same league cannot be drawn against one another, however, clubs from either pool can be drawn against one another.” 2020/21 KNOCKOUT STAGE QUALIFIERS
Heineken Champions Cup: Racing 92, Leinster, Wasps, Bordeaux-bègles, Munster, Lyon, Toulouse, La Rochelle, Scarlets, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, RC Toulon, Sale Sharks.
Challenge Cup: London Irish, Ospreys, Leicester Tigers, Cardiff Blues, Zebre, Agen, Benetton Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Ulster, Connacht, Northampton Saints, Bath, Montpellier, Dragons, Harlequins, Glasgow Warriors.
KEY DATES
Knockout Stage Draws: Tuesday 9 March
Rounds of 16: 2/3/4 April
Quarter-finals: 9/10/11 April
Semi-finals: 30 April – 1/2 May
Challenge Cup final: Marseille - Friday, 21 May
Heineken Champions Cup final: Marseille - Saturday, 22 May