‘It’s like a zombie apocalypse’ – England legend provides vivid description of what awaits Steve Borthwick’s players in Wales on Super Saturday
Calm before the storm ahead of Wales v England in Cardiff as fans gather and ex-Red Rose scrum-half Ben Youngs.
England men’s record cap holder Ben Youngs says that Steve Borthwick’s players should prepare themselves for a “mental” welcome from the Wales fans this weekend.
The Red Rose go into the final round of the Six Nations knowing that the title is still a possibility with them in second place, just one point behind France in the table.
Although Les Bleus are heavy favourites after their dominant 42-27 victory in Dublin last weekend, England and Ireland could pounce if they falter against Scotland.
Borthwick’s side can certainly put pressure on the French, whose clash with Gregor Townsend’s men on ‘Super Saturday’ is the final match of the entire tournament.
Putting pressure on France
England play slightly earlier in the day and know that a bonus-point victory will guarantee them at least second place in the 2025 Six Nations.
Against a Wales team that are currently on a run of 16 consecutive Test defeats, that should be very much feasible, but Youngs knows that it is often not that simple in Cardiff.
Irrespective of their form at the time, the Welsh side and their fans will always be up for the fight when their arch-rivals come to town.
On the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, Youngs and fellow Red Rose centurion Dan Cole described the chaos of driving into the Principality Stadium.
Cole set the scene by revealing what the lay of the land is when they are on the bus and heading towards the ground.
“You kind of drive through – I can’t remember what the street’s called – and it’s packed full of fans. They’re in the bars drinking beforehand because you almost drive through Cardiff and then go down through some gates into the stadium that way,” the tighthead said.
Youngs then chimed in and described what it will be like for the visiting players. Although many of them will have already featured in a Wales v England encounter in Cardiff, for some it will be a very new experience.
‘Mental’
“This one’s mental, it’s like a f*****g apocalypse,” he said. “You’re on the bus and you’ve not been infected by zombies. You’re driving through the centre of Cardiff, they’re in red shirts and daffodils – these adults with daffodil hats on.
“My best description is that you’re on this bus and you’ve not been infected with a virus, and they’re like charging at the bus.
“Everyone’s giving the V-sign, they’re all going mental, beer is spilling and it’s chaotically brilliant.”
Far from being overawed, however, Youngs and Cole always revelled in the atmosphere, with the prop concluding: “It’s the best entrance into a stadium.”
