England’s Underhill Approaches Wales Match with Cautious Focus

As England prepares for their upcoming Six Nations match against Wales, flanker Sam Underhill emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding complacency. This match, set to take place at Twickenham, marks England’s quest for their first Grand Slam title in ten years.

Current Form and Expectations

England enters the match as strong favorites to secure their twelfth consecutive victory against all opponents. They face a struggling Wales team, which has suffered twenty-one defeats in their last twenty-three Tests. Wales has not won a Six Nations match since 2023, further highlighting their current difficulties.

• England’s recent victory over Wales involved a record defeat of 68-14.
• Wales is currently grappling with a domestic crisis due to the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to cut the number of professional teams from four to three.

Underhill remarked on the unpredictability of rugby, stating, “One of the beauties of rugby is that on any given day, anything can happen.” He made it clear that England would not underestimate their opponents, stressing the need to perform at their best to secure the desired outcome.

Team Changes and Challenges

In preparation for the match, England faced an unexpected challenge. Wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained during training. Feyi-Waboso, who has scored seven tries in thirteen Tests, has struggled with injuries recently. He missed last season’s Six Nations due to shoulder surgery but had made a comeback in the international series.

Tom Roebuck has stepped in to fill the position on the right wing, marking his return after a broken toe cut short his Autumn Nations campaign. Initially anticipated to need more recovery time, Roebuck has shown readiness for the match after successful training sessions.

• Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: Ruled out due to hamstring injury
• Tom Roebuck: Returns after injury, last seen scoring against New Zealand

With the Six Nations fast approaching, England’s players are gearing up for a competitive encounter against Wales. Underhill’s remarks highlight the team’s commitment to readiness and respect for their opponents, steering clear of overconfidence.