Alun Wyn Jones was a key forward during the Lions series victory in Australia last summer, captaining the side in the final Test in place of the injured Sam Warburton, but he believes that if the tour were taking place this year, England's second-row pair of Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury would be flying out.
"They have probably been the stand-out second-row pairing in the championship so far," said the 76-cap Jones, who has recovered from the foot infection that ruled him out of the victory over France for the encounter against England at Twickenham on Sunday.
"Launchbury was able to provide momentum shifts in England's victory over Ireland. He is playing like an extra back-row forward and gives their pack momentum. England are playing well throughout, especially their back three where Mike Brown has been outstanding."
England defeated Ireland in the last round two weeks after Wales had been routed in Dublin, results Jones feels make England the favourites in a match both sides need to win to remain in contention for the title. Wales, though, are looking for a fourth consecutive victory over the men in white, something they have not achieved since the 1970s.
"Your backs are against the wall when you go away from home," he said. "We are probably slight underdogs because of the way we performed against Ireland and we realise just how much it is going to take for us to win. We do pretty well under pressure and since Dublin we have been under pressure. That is going to continue to grow, whatever happens at the weekend, because the competition is wide open."
There is never more hype in Wales before a rugby international than when England are the opponents and the manner of last year's 30-3 victory at the Millennium Stadium, together with the 10 Welshmen who started the final Test for the Lions that summer, has ensured national sentiment is more sanguine about the champions' prospects than the bookmakers.
"It is always a thing for the fans," said Jones. "They get up for it and there is always the banter on social media and stuff like that. People can enjoy that, but within the squad it is about working and the professional side of things, so we have to shelve that and move on. It is not about the historical stuff for us but the opportunity to improve."
It will be the 125th meeting between the sides. There have been 12 draws and both teams have won on 56 occasions. Wales have only lost in the Six Nations there once in the Warren Gatland era back in 2010 in a match which turned when Jones was sent to the sin-bin for tripping Dylan Hartley. "It is either going to be one of those attritional games where you trade in three points, or the ball will be chucked about," said Jones. "Either way, it is going to be exciting."
