England-Wales World Cup clash to end Gatland era deadlock

Warren Gatland launched his career as Wales coach in 2008 by overseeing an impressive come from behind 26-19 win over England at Twickenham -- Wales' first victory at their arch-rivals' home ground in 20 years.

But Saturday's World Cup group-stage clash at Twickenham promises to top the lot, with Wales captain Sam Warburton saying: "I think it’s probably the biggest game that we (England and Wales) will play, unless we meet each other again in the final."

Warburton, who captained a British and Irish Lion team coached by Gatland on a victorious tour of Australia in 2013, added: "You know it's coming - it's a huge game."

"It is one of the biggest Wales versus England games in history," the flanker insisted.

"It will probably be one of the most-watched games, including a Lions Test series."

"Unless we meet again in the final -- you never know -- this will be the biggest game I've played in."

One of rugby union's oldest international fixtures, with a history dating back to 1881, England and Wales have met 10 times in the Gatland era.

Each team has won five matches heading into this meeting -- a fixture that promises to have huge ramifications for a 'Pool of Death' also involving two-time world champions Australia.

Wales beat England 16-3 in Brisbane in the quarter-finals of the inaugural World Cup before England, again in Brisbane, defeated the Welsh 28-17 in the last eight en route to winning the 2003 edition.  

- Top England-Wales clashes in the Gatland era -

+ 2008 Twickenham: England 19 Wales 26

When England led 16-6 at half-time thanks to Jonny Wilkinson's boot it looked like business as usual given Wales had not won at Twickenham for 20 years.

But the second half saw James Hook kick Wales to within seven points of England before tries by Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips completed a memorable win that set Wales up for a Grand Slam season.

+ 2010 Twickenham: England 30 Wales 17

England gained a measure of revenge for their 2008 reverse when they scored 17 unanswered points after Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones was sin-binned shortly before half-time for a trip on hooker Dylan Hartley.

Tries by James Haskell and Danny Care gave England a 20-3 lead and there was no way back for Wales.

+ 2012 Twickenham: England 12 Wales 19

Scott Williams -- set to feature again on Saturday -- proved to be Wales's match-winner as they claimed their 20th Triple Crown and gave Stuart Lancaster his first defeat as England coach.

Williams's steal, kick-ahead and try with five minutes remaining put Wales ahead. But the final play saw England full-back Mike Brown send in David Strettle only for the wing's 'try' to be chalked off by the television match official after it was ruled he had not grounded the ball.

+ 2013 Cardiff: Wales 30 England 3

England arrived at the Millennium Stadium one win away from the Grand Slam but saw their ambitions crushed by a rampant Wales, whose record margin of victory over the English saw them crowned Six Nations champions instead.

Two second-half tries from wing Alex Cuthbert, four penalties by Leigh Halfpenny -- sidelined from this World Cup by injury -- and eight points from the boot of Dan Biggar floored England, who had to make do with a solitary Owen Farrell penalty.  

+ 2015 Cardiff: Wales 16 England 21

The most recent meeting between the sides saw England come from 10 points down to record a notable Six Nations win.

Maiden Test tries from Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph, plus 11 points from the boot of George Ford, helped turn the tide in a match where Halfpenny's long-range penalty and Rhys Webb's try had given Wales the early advantage.
Source: AFP