Wales have been trying to open up this season after 12 years of Warrenball but they will be getting physical against England as they seek a first Six Nations victory at Twickenham since 2012 on Saturday.
Ireland were overwhelmed 24-12 by England in the last round two weeks after securing a bonus-point victory against Wales in Dublin and the reigning champions are determined to meet England head on.
“If you do not match England physically, you have no chance,” said the Wales flanker Ross Moriarty, who was born in St Helens and played for England at under-18 and under-20 level.
“We have to go and meet them in their backyard as a pack and as a backline. They pride themselves on having a big and physical pack with a few big backs, so we know what is coming. Getting stuck into people is my bread and butter and I will be looking to do that from the start.
“The first 20 minutes are key, especially when you are playing away from home. You want to put down a marker and keep the crowd quiet. It is not nice when someone comes into your home and ruffles your feathers. It has been disappointing to lose our last two games but France was a game that could have gone either way. There were a number of positives for us and we are looking to build on them.”
Moriarty was in the England team who won the 2014 Junior World Championship by defeating South Africa in the final. The side were captained by Maro Itoje and in the centre was Nick Tompkins, who this year was called up by Wales having qualified through a grandmother. The Saracens player has featured in all three games, starting the last two.
“Nick has done well,” Moriarty said. “He is still very fresh at this level and is only going to get better. Like me, he has played for Wales via England: I did not know he was qualified. When he was picked, I sent him a message asking if he knew how to get to Cardiff!”
Asked if it felt strange pulling on the white jersey given that his father, Paul, and uncle, Richard, both played for Wales, Moriarty said: “Playing for England was an opportunity I grabbed with both hands. If I had not gone down that route, I might never have been capped by Wales. You have to be the best you can, although I have always considered myself to be Welsh.”
Moriarty started against France having been on the bench for the opening two matches following the rise of Aaron Wainwright and the return of Taulupe Faletau but his abrasive approach was missed.
“It was disappointing not to start but I feel I did well when I came off the bench,” he said. “I have belief in myself. If I did not feel I was good enough to start, I would not be here.
“England have a good back row I know well from my time with Gloucester. It is personal every time I take the field, and just a little bit more when it is England.”