Dismissing Wales will Spur us on: Gatland

“We are all positive about it”, said WRU officials manager Nigel Whitehouse, who sits on World Rugby’s laws panel. “We know how good they are, but we are going out to play the perfect match and win”, he said.

The choir performed World In Union in front of an audience including leading figures from World Rugby, England Rugby 2015 and the RFU, as well as the players and their families.

“We have Matthew Morgan and Hallam Amos in our squad who have pretty quick feet and we have used them to emulate the threat of runners like Joseph and Watson”, Edwards said.

Former rugby league star Edwards, meanwhile, has praised England’s Sam Burgess following his switch from the 13-a-side code to a place in the World Cup match-day 23 in Friday night’s World Cup opener against Fiji.

Neither fixture carries a heavyweight name like an Australia or a New Zealand, but in the unravelling of a World Cup story, each could be key games.

While diving is not widespread in the sport, there have been some notable examples in recent seasons, with Bryan Habana and Yoann Huget both apologising after they were caught feigning injury in European games.

Stuart Lancaster’s side struck a hammer-blow with their 21-16 Six Nations victory on Wales’ turf earlier this year, with skipper Chris Robshaw setting the tone when his refusal to be left waiting outside in the cold by the Welsh resulted in a five minute standoff in the tunnel.

The Derby-born back said he does not dwell on his pathway to the national team.

The community is getting in the spirit of the tournament with everything from pubs, village halls and cricket clubs screening games. I was already thinking then it could be my World Cup done. “England’s backs have fantastic footwork so I won’t hide the fact we have been practising a lot against guys with really good feet and that sort of player”.

“The last two games we’ve played, I’ve given best defensive player, as I do when we have a win, to Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton”.

“It’s not just an incredible experience, it’s great fun, a great bunch of lads, brilliant staff, even the set up we have in Carton House is out of this world”.

“Therefore I believe you’ve got to be three-dimensional in attack”.

“So all-in-all England are in a decent position, and I don’t want to jinx them, but I never lost to Wales at Twickenham in my eight year international career”.