Anna 
England are preparing for an intense and hostile atmosphere when they travel to Cardiff for their final Six Nations match against Wales on Saturday. Lock Ollie Chessum recalled the strong reception from Welsh fans during their last visit and believes it will serve as extra motivation for the team.
Chessum, who was named player of the match in England’s dominant win over Italy last weekend, described the experience of arriving at the Principality Stadium, where the streets are packed with passionate Welsh supporters.
“We were there two days before the game, and wherever the bus went, abuse followed,” Chessum said. “That last half-mile to the stadium is just packed. You can hear a few English fans, but the Welsh are all over you. It sticks in the memory.”
He shared a particularly memorable moment from England’s last visit: “The day before the game, we pulled up at a roundabout, and a car stopped next to us. There was a mum, a grandma, and a little kid who couldn’t have been more than five. The grandma rolled down the window, and the kid just gave us the middle finger. It’s things like that which make this fixture so special.”
Despite the hostile environment, Chessum relishes the occasion and sees it as one of the best away fixtures in rugby. “It revs you up. We’re eager to get down there and put in a big performance.”
England Focused on Strong Finish
England enter the match with momentum after home victories over France, Scotland, and Italy. Regardless of France’s result against Scotland later that evening, Chessum emphasized the importance of finishing the tournament on a high note.
“Wales would love nothing more than to end our title hopes in Cardiff,” he said. “This game means everything to both sides. A win could make up for their recent struggles, while a loss for us would undo all our hard work. That’s why our focus is entirely on 4:45 p.m. on Saturday.”
With Ollie Lawrence ruled out due to injury, England may opt to keep Elliot Daly at outside center. Chessum stressed that England’s goal is to attack Wales aggressively.
“Our intent is to go out there and score tries. We can’t predict the score, but we do know we’re bringing plenty of intent to put points on them.”
Calls for RFU Governance Review Grow
Away from the Six Nations, a group of MPs is pushing for an independent review into the Rugby Football Union’s leadership following the financial collapse of several top clubs and concerns over executive pay.
“It is incredibly important that the government steps in and examines the governance of the game,” said Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset. “Otherwise, there may not be a game left to govern.”
England’s clash with Wales kicks off at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday at the Principality Stadium.
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