England team manager Martin Johnson believes Friday night’s much anticipated clash between Wales and England at the Millennium Stadium will be a game his players will remember for the rest of their lives.
The two teams will open the 2011 RBS 6 Nations tournament in Cardiff in front 74,500 supporters and the fixture excites Johnson and his squad.
“It’s a big game, going to play Wales on a Friday night in Cardiff will be one of the games you remember forever,” said Johnson.
“It is what you want to be involved in and it’s a game to get the blood flowing.
“The players have to deal with the emotions of going to Cardiff. It’s going to be volatile. It’s going to be a new experience for some of them in what you get when you’re in Cardiff.
“When we get there Thursday afternoon the locals will be up for it and dealing with all those things is part of it.”
“There is something very special about a Wales v England game. There’s a lot of passion down there for beating us. People really mind, it’s makes it fun. It gets the blood flowing.
“It’s a cracking game to start the tournament, there is no-one in denial about that.The atmosphere under lights at night is always good. I’ve always liked playing under lights.
“The France game in Paris last year was an example of that.
“I know travelling for away fans and even for home fans on a Friday can be a bit tough. But I like Friday night rugby. I’d much rather play on a Friday night than a Sunday afternoon.
“We are not going to hold anything back, we want to go and win.”
