Six Nations: hostile atmosphere awaits England in Cardiff

Battalions of red shirts. The hymns and tunes bellowed repeatedly. Painted and pbadionate faces. Cardiff is waiting.

The Welsh capital is full of dynamism and noise on game days, but the atmosphere reaches a frenzy when England is in town. It's the match that the fans want their team to win more than any other.

"You're hated there," said Danny Care, a scrum half in England. "Some fans really hate you, they want to make it miserable, make the atmosphere intimidating and hostile."

This is exactly what the visiting team does at their hotel in the Principality stadium.

"The hype is exactly what you've heard," Care said at the Rugby Union Weekly podcast. "It's an amazing place to play, the ride to the stadium is right in the middle of Cardiff and the stories of people swearing against you are true – it happens.

"I remember old women who gave you a middle finger, everybody gives you a stick, there was a boy who ran on the bus, jumped and hit his head against the edge of the bus.

"It shows the pbadion or stupidity of some people."

Wales has won its last eight home games. Saturday, he seeks to break a century-old national record by winning a 12th consecutive victory.

To say that the nation is pumped would be a euphemism.

"We love our rugby, the Welsh are obsessed," said Jamie Roberts, a center of Wales. "Nothing stimulates more appetite than Wales against England.

"You grow up watching this game, respecting the great players and victories of all time and wanting to participate.

"The impact this has on the country if we win is incredible."

Wales has lost only two of its last 14 home games in the Six Nations, but both were opposed to England and the old rivals are again favorites this year after dazzling victories over Ireland and France.

Wales also won their first two games and, like England, dreams of the Grand Slam but has not been as convincing.

Roberts, who won three and lost three to England in Cardiff, said his team would seek inspiration from their pbadionate fans.

"It's a huge factor to play there," he told Rugby Weekly. "The coach ride is special for the Wales team and is unique to rugby because of the stadium's central location.

"It's great for fans with all the bars in the center, it's full of red jerseys, and as a Welsh player, it's something you care about.

"With the roof closed, the atmosphere is amazing and the sound is echoing."

English scars remain despite recent domination

Painful memories of 2013 remain etched in the memory of English players, despite the victories won during their last two visits to the city.

In search of an elusive Grand Slam, England knew that a positive result would give a first full sweep for a decade, while a loss of six or fewer points would still seal the championship.

They did not do one or the other.

Wales won a fifth home win in six games with a record 30-3 win ahead of a home full of fans.

The hosts showed up at the party after an enthusiastic rendition of the national anthem that saw Leigh Halfpenny and Alun Wyn Jones, among others, reduced to tears in a show of Welsh pride and challenge.

Care, who was part of the defeated England team, remembers the day very well.

"We could see how excited the crowd was since the training and the players were the same when we got to the stadium," he said. "They said" this does not happen, England does not win the trophy on our patch "".

Who will be the winner on Saturday?

"England must accept everything that happens, take the stick and be hated, and use it as fuel to get the right result," said Care, who was among the winners in 2011 when his first trip to the Millennium Stadium, then 2017, when Elliot Daly will try his victory successfully.

"I think England will need a day off not to win," he added. "England seems to be playing the best rugby and if they can play a match like that, it could be a good day."

But Roberts, who has 97 caps and is hoping for a reminder, thinks that not playing for two weeks will help Wales and embarrbad England.

"England has gained momentum, but the week off may have put them out of business and given Wales an extra chance to work on some things," he said. declared.

"Wales must show real intent to attack and score goals, and I do not think England was really challenged by a good attacking team."