Six Nations 2014: Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards says the pressure will all be on England at Twickenham

First shots fired in mind games before Twickenham showdown as Wales say 'whole of England' is expecting a Triple Crown

Shaun Edwards kicked off the traditional mind games that dominate the build-up to an England v Wales game in the Six Nations by claiming that the pressure was on Stuart Lancaster.

The Wales defence coach said he believed the English public expected Lancaster’s side to win at Twickenham a week on Sunday and land the Triple Crown for the first time in 11 years to take a significant step towards the RBS Six Nations Championship title.

Despite losing to France on the opening weekend of the championship season, England are in a four-way tie at the top of the Six Nations table courtesy of back-to-back victories over Scotland, in Edinburgh, and Ireland, at Twickenham, on Saturday.

Wales, who were beaten heavily by Ireland in Dublin, also have four points, along with Ireland and France.

However, Ireland lead the pack on points difference, with England second and Wales third.

Edwards, born and raised in England, where he made his name in rugby league for Wigan and Great Britain, said: “We are aware they are the favourites going into this game, and we are also aware that the whole of England expects them to come away with a Triple Crown. Obviously, there is a lot of pressure on them.”

Despite last year’s record defeat in Cardiff, when Wales stormed to a 30-3 win, the bookmakers are still tipping England to make it three wins out of four in this season’s championship.

“I know that they are favourites because I’ve just looked on the bookies,” Edwards said. “We have got a six points start, so that tells you that they are favourites.”

That said, Wales are unlikely to head east with inhibition or fear. They have won on two of their past three visits to Twickenham and performed with aplomb in brushing France aside last Friday.

“Twickenham has always been a very famous stadium in world rugby, but I am not going to say we do not fear going there,” Edwards said.

Unwilling to fan the flames, Edwards added: “This year’s Six Nations shows that one game doesn’t have much of an effect on the next one.

"Look at how the results have shifted. What is important is momentum shifts in the game itself.

“Everyone is aware of what happened last year. Things went our way on the day and we happily accepted the championship trophy.

"However, this year has been a prime example of why you can’t read anything into a single game.

"England lose against France, then they beat Ireland; Ireland hammered us, then we did a good job on France.”

Edwards had praise for England’s young backs. “They’ve been absolutely fantastic, considering their youth.

"The coaches deserve a pat on the back for bringing in so many quite inexperienced young lads who haven’t played a lot of Test matches, and they’ve played so well.”

Warren Gatland, the Wales head coach, is hoping to have both Alun-Wyn Jones and Jonathan Davies back in time to face an England side who have suffered their own injury issues of late, losing both tighthead prop Dan Cole and No8 Billy Vunipola for the rest of the championship.

Jones missed the French Test with a foot infection, while Davies has played only one half of rugby since damaging his chest in the autumn international game against South Africa.

Of Davies, Edwards said: “I think he will be in with a fighting chance of playing.”

Although George North stepped in to the breach by moving from wing to centre for the France game, Gatland would be far more comfortable with Davies back in midfield alongside Jamie Roberts and North restored to his usual slot on the wing.

“Jonathan is one of the best centres in the northern hemisphere, there is no doubt about that,” Edwards said.

“He has a left-foot kicking game, which certainly helps your cause.

“I thought George did very well in that position against France. One thing’s for sure, Jonathan knows he will have to fight his way back into the team.

"He is a very determined young man and I’m pretty sure he will be trying to put his best foot forward for the Scarlets at the weekend.

“I thought George defended really well. Technically, he was very good. He fell off one tackle with Mathieu Bastareaud, but there is no shame in missing Bastareaud every now and again, is there?

"Besides that one missed tackle, I thought that his positional play was very good.”