Warburton was speaking at the annual tournament launch at the Hurlingham Club in West London, where the six national captains and coaches offer their thoughts on the upcoming drama of the Championship.
And the 26-year-old reckons the Millennium Stadium showcase is the perfect way to kick-off the tournament.
“There’s already been a lot of focus and build-up to that match and the players can sense that just from the media interest, the public. Walking around Cardiff and things it’s one everyone’s looking forward to. It is a good way to kick off the Championship.”
“It’s the best fixture to open up the Championship. It could either give us great momentum if we win but if we have a poor start, we then have three away games and have to chase the competition. We know how difficult that is from 2013 when we lost the first game to Ireland and it’s uphill from there. It’s a big game to win first up.”
Wales welcome the red rose to Cardiff before trips to Scotland and France. Warren Gatland’s men then host Ireland before the final game away to Italy. And Warburton, who led Wales to back-to-back triumphs in 2012 and 2013 is already feeling the excitement around the Principality.
He said: “Wales England games are always hotly contested, you don’t have to talk about the past to get up for them. The way we prepare doesn’t change but you can tell by walking around the supermarket, checking your Twitter feed and in the press that it definitely ramps up for Wales against England. I’ve been asked for tickets when I wasn’t even in the squad! That’s the level of interest in the game.”?
No to be missed!
WRU TV went behind the scenes as the Wales squad met for the first time ahead of the RBS 6 Nations, following them through a day of training, meetings, headshots and media. #iamwales
