As befits a combative former New Zealand hooker Warren Gatland has always been drawn to the fray. So when he talks of his relish at seeing England obliged to stand tall against all-comers in the 2017 Six Nations championship you know that his enthusiasm is genuine.

In a Lions year a Kiwi with deep-seated Welsh connections rooting for a powerful English performance as they look to defend their Grand Slam title is part of the enduring appeal of this four-yearly sporting odyssey.

It throws together unlikely bedfellows, forges seemingly conflicting alliances, and on the eve of the championship it is in keeping with such contrived affiliations that the Lions head coach should want England to be a focal point of his watching brief.

In Gatland’s eyes, a dominant England is good news for the Lions’ prospects in New Zealand in six months’ time.

“Absolutely,” said Gatland. “The best thing is to have a strong England for the simple reason that all the other countries will be gunning for them, looking to knock them over, and so England will have to cope with that as well deal with the pressure of expectation that is on them as Grand Slam champions and on this long run of successive wins.