RED ROSE LOOK TO BE ROOFLESS

EDDIE JONES is keeping Wales waiting on a decision over the Principality Stadium roof.

The Red Rose have painful memories of being hammered with the roof shut in 2013 – but winning well with it open on their return two years ago.

“We haven’t decided yet – we have up until 48 hours before kick-off,” England defence coach Paul Gustard said.

“The noise has an impact on both teams, so, if we’re going to experience any difficulties, they will as well. It’s not something we’ve overly focused on.

“I’m pretty confident we have an understanding of the principles we are trying to defend with.

“We are ready, we are prepared, we are confident.

“We are going there on the back of some good recent results and we have a strong match 23.”

Lock star Joe Launchbury claims background noise has no affect once a game begins – though not everybody would agree. “As a player, the only time you notice anything is pre-game because you are so clued in to what you are doing or picking up a line-out call,” he said.

“You could be anywhere in the world – it doesn’t matter.”

Both teams name their line-ups today, with 2013 Junior World Cup-winning captain Jack Clifford pushing for only his second back-row start.

“Jack is a very talented young kid,” said Gustard. “He is desperate to play for England and we’ve seen good growth from him over the last 12 months.”

Key to Saturday’s outcome will be discipline and Launchbury admits England have worked tirelessly on that in training this week.

“We let ourselves down in discipline against France,” he said. “We have addressed that more than any other issue.”