Wales coach Gatland targets fourth Six Nations win in a row against England

Owen Farrell passes the ball during the England training session held at Pennyhill Park on March 7, 2014 in Bagshot, England. David Rogers / Getty Images

LONDON // Every England-Wales match "matters" and with the head-to-head record all square at 56 wins apiece, today's Six Nations clash at Twickenham will not lack a sense of occasion.

For one thing, the two-time defending champions, Wales, and England can both win this season’s title as they have each won two out of their three matches so far this championship.

But the 125th Test between the old rivals has been given special significance by the fact it will be the last time they meet at Twickenham before a potentially key 2015 World Cup clash in a group also featuring Australia.

“We have two big games at Twickenham in the World Cup against England and Australia,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“If we can win on Sunday, that is four in a row against England and if we then win the Six Nations as well, you start having a few doubts.”

England coach Stuart Lancaster has yet to oversee a win against Wales, with dreams of a grand slam falling at the final hurdle last season courtesy of a record 30-3 thrashing in Cardiff, where the passion and ferocity of the Welsh proved too much for his youthful side.

But the way England withstood a committed Ireland to win 13-10 in their latest outing, with the often somnolent Twickenham crowd finding a collective voice worthy of 80,000 spectators, has given Lancaster grounds for optimism heading into this match.

“The supporters respond to the fact they can see a team playing with passion and commitment for England’s Rose,” he said.

Wales had no hesitation in recalling Jonathan Davies to their midfield following a similar injury and the centre – one of 12 players in the Wales team from last year's Gatland-coached British & Irish Lions squad who were victorious in Australia – will resume his centre partnership with Jamie Roberts.

That may be so but today’s match is likely to be decided up front.

Wales simply overwhelmed a lacklustre France 27-6 in Cardiff last time out but they received a blow Friday when second row Luke Charteris was ruled out with a neck injury. Traditionally, Wales have tended to have the edge over England behind the scrum, but in full-back Mike Brown they have a potent counter-attacker although one without the goal-kicking threat of Wales No 15 Leigh Halfpenny.

England will look to half-backs Danny Care and Owen Farrell, their goal kicker, to keep them on the front foot, as they often did against Ireland.

“Danny has been instrumental in terms of the tempo and speed of the game and running from the base,” Wales assistant coach Rob Howley said. “He has got a good relationship with Owen Farrell, and their kicking game is pretty effective. The game is going to be about small margins.”