England will be too strong for Wales - Back

World Cup winner Neil Back believes England will have ‘too much’ for Wales in this weekend’s Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

The sides meet on Saturday for the first time since their dramatic World Cup encounter and the former England captain says this fixture will also decide the 2016 tournament.

An injury-hit Wales side stunned England in September when they beat the hosts 28-25 in a Pool A match at the home of English rugby.

“They have won several games at HQ under [Warren] Gatland, so Wales won’t be afraid of coming to Twickenham,” said Back.

“However, I think we’ll have too much for them on this occasion and I expect us to complete the Grand Slam at the Stade de France next week.

“This match against Wales is the decider. I believe both teams will win their final game, so it all rests on this game.”

Both England and Wales are unbeaten heading into Saturday’s match, with England having won all three of their games so far under new coach Eddie Jones as they go in search of their first Grand Slam since 2003.

As for Wales, they have beaten Scotland and France after drawing 16-16 with Ireland on the opening weekend of the competition.

England and Wales have both gone with the same starting XV's that began their most recent Six Nations encounters against Ireland and France, but there are changes to the England matchday squad which include a recall for Manu Tuilagi. The Leicester centre has not play for his country since June 2014 because of a groin injury and disciplinary issues.

The 24 year-old is on the bench for Saturday after replacing Alex Goode in the side and Back, who is a former Tigers captain, feels that Eddie Jones has made the right call to leave Tuilagi amongst the replacements.

“Manu, at his best, would be in most country’s 23, let alone England’s” said Back.

“I think, as continuity is being established by Eddie Jones, there’s a good case for him remaining on the bench.

“He’s definitely one of those X factor players who can come on and do serious damage but he’s not performing to his usual stellar standards at the moment.

“I think under Eddie Jones, both Manu and the side as a whole will develop both elements further – the bludgeoning and the subtlety – and our ball-carrying will improve alongside our distribution. It’s always good to have more than one string to your bow.

Back also believes that a key battle on Saturday will be when Billy Vuniploa goes up against Taulupe Faletau and hopes that the England No.8 will edge this intriguing back-row clash.

“This is one of a number of exciting battles, added the former open-side flanker.”  “With Vunipola’s qualities, it’s amazed me that so far in the Six Nations so many teams have kicked it straight to him and invited him to run it right back at them.”

“Tactically you don’t want to dolly it up to the best ball-carrier, so it staggers me.

“To answer the question, though, they’re both big gain line players and that’s what it’s all about. From a defensive perspective, you can’t let either Vunipola or Faletau have easy ball and work up a head of steam in front of your line. It’s a close call, but I’m English, so I think and hope Billy edges it.”

Neil Back, Leicester Tigers and England legend, is now one of the leading rugby speakers on the after dinner speaking circuit and can be booked through Champions Speakers.