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Wales are No.1 in the world on the back of a first autumn clean-sweep and a brilliant Six Nations Grand Slam during a record 14-match winning streak.

And what could be better than New Zealand losing top spot to Warren Gatland’s side as Wales prepare to face England and Ireland in a ‘mini-tournament’ ahead of the World Cup?

Wales shouldn’t fear anybody and I don’t see any reason to change much for they look like a team with a healthy mindset and approach to their game.

Coach Gatland and his players look ready for the ultimate challenge. I don’t think they have been in a position like this before.

Gatland – a horse-racing fan – is entering his final couple of furlongs in what has been a golden period for Wales.

At this stage he will not be thinking of wobbling and I share his confidence in the team.

When you look at the two teams who will run out at Twickenham today I can’t see Wales in any way losing this one.

England and Eddie Jones are covering their tracks by putting out an experimental side which is effectively an available excuse if the inevitable I expect happens.

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It’s a strange way to go about preparing for a World Cup in a few weeks time and smacks of running scared but Eddie Jones isn’t a conventional man and maybe he will have the last laugh in Japan.

But I can’t understand what he’s playing at by picking this team. It seems to me he’s got his excuses in first in case everything collapses around him and it’s not the cleverest way to go about things.

I prefer the Gatland way of sticking with a well-oiled machine, which has an extra bounce about it and has athletes who are trying to play a high-tempo game that involves No.1 to 15.

That’s why I have got huge confidence and ability in the potential of this Wales team.

When I talk to friends about the coming months the one word that keeps coming up is injuries but, in the modern game, you have got to take them on the chin because they will happen.

The one player Wales need to keep fit is their talisman and captain Alun Wyn Jones.

(Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

He is probably one of the greatest Welsh players of any generation and is such an inspiration to the rest of the team.

His calmness when dealing with problems on the field and with referees manifests itself.

When Jones was slow to get up against Ireland in the Grand Slam match there was a collective silence at the Principality Stadium.

After he eventually and gingerly got to his feet and had a damaged knee wrapped in bandage the crowd relaxed because it knew how important he is to the team and the security he gives it.

The Wales front-row has very good handlers of the ball in close quarters and, at lock, Alun Wyn has become a mentor to Adam Beard and Cory Hill.

The front-five consists of players who can adapt to being in any position on the position regardless of where the ball is.

And Wales are well-blessed in the back-row despite the loss of Taulupe Faletau because Ross Moriarty has come through to be a huge success at No.8.

The half-backs have settled down with Gareth Anscombe, who I championed from the start after he moved to Wales from New Zealand, bringing a touch of All Blacks ace Beauden Barrett to the table at outside-half with his devilment, changes of directions, probing, tactical judgement and kicking game.

(Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

Anscombe is such a good footballer and Gatland also has the option of changing his game-plan by bringing Dan Biggar off the bench to close out matches at critical moments.

At scrum-half, Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams are first-class. Gareth is very aggressive and doesn’t take any prisoners while Tomos reminds me of a young Mike Phillips.

Wales have an established midfield and an impressive back-three with Josh Adams having come in on one wing with George North on the other.

But my star man is Liam Williams at full-back – he was a sensational player for the Lions two years ago and has been brilliant for Saracens on the wing.

He’s got a lightness of foot and his eye for a gap is what you want in a game to bring the best out of an attack.

Wales are up and running and I’m very confident we are in for an exciting few months.