venue: twickenham, london date: Saturday, February 10th kick off: 16:45 GMT |
coverage: Watch live on S4C. Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru. Text commentary is available on his website and app on BBC Sport. |
In a week when Welsh rugby mourned perhaps the greatest flyhalf of all time, Ioan Lloyd is preparing to write a new chapter in the famous jersey.
The 22-year-old made his first Test start at Twickenham, adding his name to Wales' prestigious cast of teenagers.
Wales were England's first opponents at Twickenham in 1910, and ever since the venue has been a dream for some and a grave for others.
From Cliff Morgan's grand slams in the 1950s, Dai Watkins and Barry John in the 1960s, to the great era of the 1970s.
John never lost at Twickenham until 1976 when Phil Bennett produced what remains Wales' biggest victory on home soil, 21-9.
Lloyd should be able to begin first tests within a week john died The jersey number 10 he inherited was even more impressive.
Lloyd is certainly outside the John mold, an elusive runner with the ability to create something out of nothing, much like Jonathan Davies and James Hook did in their modern-day classic encounter .
There were some struggles, especially David Evans, who made just his second start in the jersey in 1990, a 34-6 loss.
Estin Harris' first Six Nations start at the age of 10 did not prevent further fallout Recorded a 50-10 loss Gareth Anscombe, on the other hand, suffered a two-year injury prior to the 2019 World Cup.
BBC Sport Wales spoke to four Welsh fly-halves who have experienced the ups and downs of playing in TW1.
Jonathan Davis
He was one of the four club outside halves used in Wales' 11-3 victory over England to win the Triple Crown in 1988.
“Twickenham is a nerve-wracking and daunting place, but to go and win there is a bit special,” Davies said.
“It's a great place to play but England always have a good group so it's always tough.
“So you have to communicate with the backline, adjust everyone and get the basics right. You have to see where their weaknesses are and wait until the opportunity comes.
“Last week's experience will give him [Lloyd] I have plenty of confidence, but I can't follow the game from the beginning.
“I hope Wales can play wider and Lloyd can control that.” [but] It all depends on the forward. If it's a slow ball, he has to kick it or tell George North to bring the ball to the middle.
“He's the only placekicker on the starting team and that might be the only problem. He just has to make the kicks and focus on what he's done in the past.”
Davies added: “In 1988 we had four fly-halves in the side, but now we don't have that many. We have some inexperienced players, so we're looking to develop 10-a-side and 15-a-side players. We have to try hard,” he added.
james hook
The young fly-half will start in the number 10 position for the second time in the Six Nations in Warren Gatland's first game.
He produced a man of the match display. Wales come from behind to beat Twickenham 26-19 And he created a Grand Slam.
“he [Lloyd] I'm nervous but excited. There is probably no bigger game for him than making his first start at 10 o'clock at Twickenham.
“The experience of George North on the outside and Tomos Williams on the inside will be really helpful, but he has nothing to fear and can just go out and express himself.
“He has to go out there and be the chosen player, Yoan Lloyd, be himself instead of trying to be Dan Biggar or any other player.
“He's an exciting player for the Scarlets and the type of player you'd pay money to watch. I hope he's allowed to bring that on Saturday.”
Rhys Patchell
The 24-year-old Scarlets playmaker was selected by England head coach Eddie Jones ahead of his second Six Nations start.
Jones spoke of the “heat” Wales' “third-choice” fly-half would face, which was illustrated when Patchel was substituted early in the second half of the game. We lost 12-6.
“I saw a different side of international rugby that day. It was close,” Patchel said.
“Everyone remembers being pulled away with Eddie on their backs, but then I took a kick for Gareth Anscombe that didn’t result in a try and that could have changed the game.
“That day I learned a very valuable lesson about how to navigate an international game.
“I remember [Wales kicking coach] Neil Jenkins said that some of the worst days in his career can turn out to be the best because you learn so much from them. I was sure I would too.
“I knew then that the criticism could be cruel and that someone else would soon be given the shirt and the bigs.” [Dan Biggar] We played the following game.
“It's a lot of pressure to play in that No. 10 shirt no matter what country you're playing against, but what a great opportunity.
“The only way to learn how to play as a fly-half for Wales is to wear number 10 for Wales, but this is the dream, to wear number 10 in a big game in the Six Nations.
“Yoan can do things on the field that I can't do. He doesn't need any advice. He just needs to remember that you were chosen because you're good enough. ”
Dan Biggar
In 2015, Wales eliminated hosts England in the pool stage, with Dan Biggar scoring 23 goals, a Welsh record for a World Cup match.
“It's never easy,” Biggar said.
“When you look at England's game away to Twickenham on paper, it might sound more difficult than it actually is.
“People remember the incredible win in 2015, but apart from that I haven't done very well there.
“We lost a few games, but we never had a hard time there like other teams.
“Over the past 10 years, the games have been close as both teams have had relatively even records, with most teams having home advantage.
“I don't expect this weekend to be much different in terms of the tense situation. England will start as favorites, but Wales will go there with more confidence and more chances than people are giving them. You'll be able to do that.''
“It's not an easy place to play your first game as a 10-year-old, but it's a great place to go and play. What a game to make your first international start.”
“Ioan will be excited but nervous. I'm sure Ioan has the ability and the temperament, because in matches like this you have to be mentally strong to take on these challenges. Because it has to be.
“Ioan is a good rugby player. The coaches will tell him to play his way. They will be looking for him to be able to control the game from the off and he has everything to do that. has the qualities of
“He'll understand that there's a difference between starting a game and coming off the bench when you're losing and taking a chance when you have nothing to lose.
“This weekend will be a different challenge for him, but I'm sure he'll be fine.”