A hostile encounter with Wales gives England’s stars the perfect chance to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup

Judgment Day for England’s World Cup wannabes promises to be a tense and hostile event in Cardiff against an excited Welsh side going through a similarly rushed transition.

After feeling the heat in grueling training camps at home and abroad, players on both sides will experience the various discomforts of a selection competition quickly coming to a head.

The English contenders have progressed through that brutal process, knowing that this August 1st warm-up is a first and final trial for the right to go to France next month for the global showpiece.

In front of an impressive crowd of over 65,000 at the Principality Stadium, an old rivalry will resume with new subplots. While Wales are in a longer run-up to confirming a World Cup squad, Steve Borthwick calls his Red Rose 33 on Monday, so those on the fringe will use this not-so-friendly match to make their claim for inclusion.

The stakes are huge for several in the ranks of the visitors, as their captain of the day, Ellis Genge, acknowledged. He’s surrounded by men on a mission tonight and the gag wants to make sure fear doesn’t spoil their auditions.

England are going through the same brutal transition process as Wales in the run-up to the World Cup, but they’ve moved on

“It would be naive not to get into that,” said the Bristolian when asked about the need to help those playing for tournament places. “I was in that position four years ago. I know it’s a huge game for some people. I’ll have a few quiet words with them over the next few days. I’ll try to give some advice; tell TP (Tom Pearson) to go out and do what he did week in and week out for his club. I’ll be there to support him if he needs me.’

What about collective goals? These games are often seen as a balancing act between the quest for winning momentum and tactical cohesion. But Genge made it clear that England only thinks one way, saying: ‘We’re going to nip that in the bud. There is no ambiguity about what we want to do; we want to go and win.

“It’s a test match in Cardiff, so winning is the main goal. It’s not about figuring out what we’re going to do in the future. We go there to win, so that’s our main goal. If you find a way to win in Cardiff, you’ll probably be fine in most stadiums. We don’t want to reinvent the wheel and find this magical way to play. We want to see what we’ve been doing for the past eight weeks.’

The England rugby crowd will eagerly await signs of tactical form and fluidity, but when asked what he expects in terms of Red Rose identity, Borthwick focused more on attitude. “What I want to see is a team of players who stand up again and again – no matter what the situation in the game is and whatever it takes – and work extremely hard to make other people look good,” he said.

‘If we can build that; a team that just stays in the fight – that’s an integral part. This team has a lot of talent. What I need is to make sure they understand what is expected of an England player.’

As for Wales, there’s a little more time for Warren Gatland to sort through his World Cup options; today, in the return leg at Twickenham next week and against the Springboks in Cardiff on August 19.

He’s lost Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb to retirement, and Ken Owens to injury, so it’s a time of urgent review, with five unrestricted players on duty today, including starting props Corey Domachowski and Kieron Assiratti.

There has been a mood swing since the disastrous Six Nations campaign, when the Kiwi head coach’s second stint got off to such a false start, amid defeats, strike threats and widespread unrest.

The English Ellis Genge (center with ball) will lead the visitors in the Principality Stadium

Genge (centre) admitted need to help those playing for tournament places in England camp ahead of Rugby World Cup

Gatland is back in typical bullish mode and George North captured the sense of newfound determination and optimism in the side saying, ‘It’s a much better place. Gats has put down a real marker, so there’s no gray area. The atmosphere is completely different.

“After the Six Nations, we all took it very personally, and Gats took it upon himself to make it right. He’s playing his normal mind games again. He’s been around the boys to pep them up – poke the bear.

Borthwick (left) and Wales head coach Warren Gatland (right) will both want to show their side are ready for the Rugby World Cup

He knows exactly what he wants now and has installed it in his coaches and then in us. Saturday will be a completely different team than the Six Nations.’

It will be a celebratory event for Leigh Halfpenny, the veteran fullback who will reach an elusive century for his country. North’s admiration for his friend was warm and emphatic.

“We’ve been doing it together for 14 years, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health,” he said. “I can’t think of a Welshman who deserves more for his service to the country, with what he’s given over the years in big moments when he’s stepped up and performed for us.

“He’s had a hard time with injuries and it’s kept him at 99 long enough. But what a player. If young players want someone to look up to on how to take care of yourself on and off the pitch, look to Leigh. I am delighted to be taking the field with him for his 100th cap.”