Have you felt it too? Maybe just once or twice throughout the week, perhaps only for the briefest of moments but inescapable nonetheless – the need to remind yourself that England and Wales renew hostilities on Saturday. For while there have been half-hearted attempts to fan flames, to stir pots and to begin wars of words, it is hard to remember a more anodyne buildup to this historic fixture.
There will be plenty for whom that is no problem at all and come kick-off you wouldn’t know it. Twickenham has sold out, there will be time to pause and remember two Welsh greats of yesteryear in Barry John and JPR Williams, there will be stirring renditions of the anthems and there will be tears.
