| 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. |
Wales legends Barry John and JPR Williams were often the scourge of England.
But they will be fondly remembered at Twickenham on Saturday ahead of the Six Nations clash between the two countries.
Following the death of full-back Williams in January, fly-half John also passed away last Sunday. The pair, along with former England captain Mike Weston, will be given a minute's applause before kick-off.
John and Williams often came into their own against England, as they repeatedly tormented Red Rose opposition during their illustrious careers in what was then the Five Nations.
They were different players in many ways. John was a sparkling, graceful presence who could defeat opponents with a flick of his hips, while his warrior-like teammate Williams boasted long sideburns and often wore a headband and rolled up socks. He played and enjoyed the physical side of the game.
Wales' recent record at Twickenham has been poor, having lost their last seven games since winning the memorable World Cup in 2015, and they have not won a Six Nations in south-west London since 2012. They have only won two games this century.
The Class of 2024 could therefore take inspiration from Williams and John's record against England at both Twickenham and Cardiff.
The pair have played 16 international matches against Wales' closest rivals and have never lost. Williams won 11 games and scored 5 tries in his career from 1969 to 1981.
Wales only lost to England once in the 1970s, with Williams missing that game in 1974 due to injury.
John contributed to four wins and one draw from 1968 to 1972, scoring 29 points, including two tries and five drop goals.
BBC Sport Wales covers the match against England where John and Williams dominated, sometimes together and sometimes individually.
April 12, 1969: Wales 30-9 Cardiff, England
Williams made his international debut at the tournament, where Wales defeated England to win the Triple Crown and the Five Nations Championship.
The win concluded with a memorable emphatic victory over Cardiff, with Keith Jarrett scoring 12 points and winger Maurice Richards scoring four tries.
However, there was one great individual try that will remain in people's memories. With the ball in both hands, he slipped through the English defense and the opposition defenders were unable to reach him.
Has there ever been a more graceful solo score in the long history of the championship? That's a debate worth having.
Just to be on the safe side, John also scored his customary drop goal.
February 28, 1970: England 13-17 Wales, Twickenham
Both Williams and John were on the scoresheet in this game, and the impact of substitute scrum-half Ray “Chico” Hopkins will forever be remembered.
With Gareth Edwards off injured, Hopkins came on and England won 13-6 with tries from David Duckham and John Novak and a spike from Bob Hiller, while Wales scored tries from John and Mervyn Davies. I fought back.
The scrum-half scored himself in stoppage time after Hopkins set up JPR's try.
JPR, who were reluctant to take the kicker, converted and took a 14-13 lead, but there was still time for John to seal the deal with a stunning 40-meter drop goal.
January 16, 1971: Wales 22-6 Cardiff, England
John again scored two drop goals and collected a clever chip kick of his own to generate a try for winger John Bevan.
Williams also took a penalty, one of only three times in his 12-year international career that England converted a Charlie Hannaford try and a Peter Rosborough penalty.
Wales achieved their sixth Grand Slam title, the first since 1952, and their second treble in three seasons.
Both John and Williams continued to feature in the British and Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand, with the touring team winning the series 2-1.
January 15, 1972: England 3-12 Wales, Twickenham
The 1972 Five Nations remained incomplete as Wales and Scotland refused to travel to Ireland due to the political situation and escalating violence in Northern Ireland.
Wales started the season at Twickenham by winning three matches, with Williams and John taking all the points in the win.
JPR scored the only try, scored by John, and at the same time beat two penalties. England made a successful solo kick.
Wales were denied another Grand Slam appearance as they did not play against Ireland, and the 20-6 victory over France was John's last international match before retiring at the age of 27.
January 17, 1976: England 9-21 Wales, Twickenham
Phil Bennett was John's long-time successor, wearing the number 10 shirt, and JPR Williams once again tormented England with two tries in the opening game of the tournament at Twickenham.
Williams powered over in the first half, completing a brilliant set-piece move involving Marvin Davies, Gareth Edwards, Bennett, Fenwick and JJ Williams, perfectly documented by legendary BBC commentator Bill McLaren.
Alastair Hignell kicked three penalties for England, but Williams finished off the hosts in the twilight of the second half after a slick scissor move with Bennett. The 12-point margin of victory at Twickenham remains Wales' largest.
Wales won their 19th title, including a Grand Slam and a Triple Crown.
March 5, 1977: Wales 14-9 Cardiff, England
England would have won the Triple Crown with an away win against Cardiff, but they once again succumbed to arch-rivals JPR.
England went into the game with three penalties from Hignell, but Wales held a one-point lead thanks to a try from Gareth Edwards and a boot from Steve Fenwick.
JPR steps up and breaks through the away defense for his fifth and final try against England. “Is he going to do it again?” McLaren asked. He did it.
Wales won the Triple Crown for the second year in a row with Murrayfield's victory over Scotland, while France completed their second Grand Slam and Five Nations title.
