Wales have drawn a blank on their two previous clashes against the Red Rose brigade, conceding 105 points in the two matches in 2003 and 2007.
Wales lost 9-43 at the Millennium Stadium in 2003 while England were rampant four years later running out comfortable 62-5 victors at Twickenham.
But Gatland is hoping that with World Cup places on the line, history will not be repeated tomorrow when the two sides meet at Twickenham.
“There is a history to playing against England, it’s in front of a full house at Twickenham and at the end of it there is a World Cup spot at stake,” said Gatland.
“So I wouldn’t hold anything back, it’s going to be a full-on match with a lot to play for. It’s England against Wales with all the history that brings, and the motivation behind that is getting selected for the World Cup.
“Wales took a hammering in 2007 and were mauled up front in 2003 in those two games. It’s going to be physical and they will try to dominate us.
“But they might get a surprise about where we are physically, too, because I think we’re in pretty good shape.
“It’s a huge challenge for the players, they’re playing away and it’s how they respond to that pressure. The players who play at home next week will proabably have a bit of an easier challenge.”
England v Wales, Twickenham (KO 2.30pm), Sat Aug 6, 2011.
England D Armitage; M Banahan, M Tuilagi, R Flutey, M Cueto, J Wilkinson, D Care; A Corbisiero, D Hartley, M Stevens, S Shaw, T Palmer, T Croft, L Moody (capt), J Haskell.
Replacements: L Mears, D Wilson, M Botha, T Wood, R Wigglesworth, C Hodgso, C Sharples.
Wales: Rhys Priestland; George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau.
Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Morgan Stoddart.
WRU TV will be following the action live from Twickenham when Warren Gatland’s men take on Martin Johnson’s England. Simply log on to http://www.wru.co.uk/live just before kick off and you will be able to follow Wales’s progress minute by minute.
