Wales have nothing to lose - Byrne

Former Welsh international Lee Byrne as said that Wales will be the underdogs against England and will be pleased by Stuart Lancaster’s midfield selection.

The two sides meet in Saturday’s World Cup Pool A match at Twickenham where England have won 13 of the last 15 meetings between the sides.

Wales suffered key injuries in the build up to the tournament with Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb and Jonathon Davies all being ruled out and Byrne believes that Warren Gatland’s side will now be playing with no fear.

“I think Wales will be favourites,” said Byrne – who scored a try to end Wales’ 20 year wait for a win at Twickenham back in 2008.

“They have lost key players and it’s like they now have nothing to lose. They are the underdogs which is always dangerous in sport.

“They won’t have any fear of going down to Twickenham. They have cancelled each other out over the last couple of years.

“It’s not like the 80s where we waited 20 years to win at Twickenham and the Twickenham factor isn’t there anymore and the same with the Millennium Stadium for England.”

England coach Stuart Lancaster has made some big decisions regarding selection for this crunch match as he has decided to drop fly-half George Ford and replace him with Owen Farrell.

The other talking point involves Sam Burgess who starts at inside-centre due to the injury of Jonathon Joseph and Byrne thinks those two key selections could serve Wales well.

The former full-back said: “I think Wales will be happy to see England’s midfield. It’s quite defensive with Barritt and Burgess in there, but we know Burgess can offer more of an offloading game.

“I think they would’ve been wary of someone like George Ford, Jonathon Joseph and Burgess in there and even though you have Jonny May and Anthony Watson out wide, I can’t see England getting much ball out there so I think Wales will be happy.”

He added: “I think Wales would’ve been more wary of someone like Ford.  I think we can afford to give Farrell a bit of room, but with Ford I don’t think you can give him the space as he will find the gaps. I think Wales will be able to defend better against Farrell.”

In terms of Wales themselves, they have made nine changes from their opening game victory against Uruguay, but Gatland has had to deal with another injury – this time to Corey Allen.

Byrne didn’t think Allen would’ve started this match with Wales opting to go with Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams as the centre partnership.

“The performance against Uruguay wasn’t too impressive but we got the job done,” said the ex- Osperys man.

“We got the bonus point, but there wasn’t much to write home about.  The only disappointment was the injury to Corey Allen, but I think they would have gone with Scott Williams and Jamie Roberts anyway.”

And Williams has been shoved into the spotlight after comments made by Sam Burgess in the press conference yesterday.

The Bath man claimed he had never heard of the Wales centre, who he is likely to be up against on Saturday, but Byrne thinks the incident will just add to the occasion on Saturday tonight.

Byrne said: “Obviously Scott has said something and it’s been blown out of proportion and Sam has come back and said that. It’s quite funny really. It was like a press conference before a boxing match!

“Burgess is a leader and people look up to him because of what he has won. Stuart Lancaster has taken note off that.

“We’ve seen his defensive capabilities and he showed glimpses of that against Fiji when he came on as well as his attacking ability when he showed good offloads and hit some nice lines.

“I know what theses game are like and there is no bigger game to come into. I am sure he is relishing it and I don’t think he is fazed by it.

And Byrne thinks Wales’s attention will now firmly be on Saturday night.

 “I think now, Wales will be purely focused on the game. It’s the biggest game in the pool stages and excluding the final, it could be the biggest in the tournament.

“We know about the rivalry and too draw each other at the World Cup at Twickenham is absolutely amazing so and the players will be up for it. It doesn’t get bigger than this.”