Wales, trailing by 20 points midway through the opening match of their Six Nations championship defence on February 2, have rebounded to such effect that they are now convinced the title is within their grasp.
After winning three away matches in succession following a 30-22 loss to Ireland, the last year grand slam champions can retain the title if they beat England by eight points at the Millennium stadium on Saturday.
Seven points would suffice if England do not outscore the hosts by at least three tries.
The Irish defeat was the eighth in a row for Wales after they had won a third grand slam in eight years. Their captain Sam Warburton, an early favourite to lead the British and Irish Lions in Australia this year, was then injured for the win over France and relegated to the bench for the next match against Italy.
Restored to openside flanker for last Saturday’s win over Scotland at Murrayfield, Warburton had an outstanding match in attack and defence and his return to form has softened the loss of Ryan Jones through a broken shoulder.
Jones captained Wales from the blindside flank in the last two matches in place of Warburton. His likely replacement is Justin Tipuric, who combined effectively with Warburton after coming on as a replacement for Jones on Saturday with Aaron Shingler and Andrew Coombes also in the frame.