England have moved to ensure the divide that emerged between their squad at the 2011 Rugby World Cup won’t be an issue in the 2015 tournament.
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However, Warburton is expecting a comfortable win for the side against a Uruguay team which was thrashed 111-13 by eventual winners England in their previous World Cup outing in Brisbane in 2003. It’s always a privilege to play for Wales and play at the Millennium Stadium so I’m really happy.
With the second game against England at Twickenham on Saturday in mind, Gatland has rested key forwards Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Gethin Jenkins, and a crucial trio of backs in Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts and George North from the Uruguay game.
The Wales head coach Warren Gatland will announce his starting line-up on Thursday morning, and – injuries permitting – there appears to be just two major selection debates.
“I had a nice couple of days over the weekend with my girlfriend’s family”, said May, who will start Saturday’s pivotal Pool A showdown with Wales on the left wing.
And Lawes said: “It was a bit nervous out there and we had everything to lose”.
Gatland said Uruguay had proved capable competitors considering they are ranked 19th in the world and boast just four professionals in their squad.
Gatland said: “I think we have got to put all our focus into these first two games (against Uruguay and England)”.
“He [Gatland] will get his lads revved up and try and come to Twickenham and take the points which is what every team’s going to try and do”, he added.
“Aaron Jarvis actually popped a rib cartilage as well, nothing that’s too serious but he was in quite significant pain”.
“We talked about the pressure the players were under and they dealt with it and we came away with what we wanted”, Catt said. It’s a huge week for us, it’s a big game but it does feel nice to have one under the belt’.
But the 32-year-old could not find fault with England’s fanatical Twickenham support and is hoping for more of the same against Wales.
“I am proud of my players for the performance because the main thing for us is to try and improve”. “Thank God the Welsh team play rugby better than they sing”, he joked.
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“We knew it was going to be complicated after the opening minutes, but the atmosphere is not negative for us”.
